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The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers went on a search for defensive line depth they signed a former member of the San Diego Chargers named Cam Thomas. With the team letting Thomas test Free Agency heading into 2016, the organization has decided to dip into the same well, but this time it is defensive end Ricardo Matthews who will be donning the black and gold next season.
We have signed DE Ricardo Mathews to a one-year contract.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 31, 2016
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The team and Matthews agreed to terms on a one-year contract, and when looking at Matthews' career stats it might make fans scratch their heads. He started seven games for San Diego last season, and for his career, he has played in 80 games and recorded 15 starts. In those 2015 games, Matthews recorded 22 tackles and one sack, while he has career stats of 94 tackles and just 4 career sacks.
Mathews is entering his seventh season in the NFL and previously had stints with the Chargers and Indianapolis Colts. He was a seventh-round draft choice of the Colts in the 2010 NFL Draft.
The Steelers likely aren't going to be asking Matthews to do the things Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt do, in terms of rushing the passer, but if he can stop the run and help provide depth where it is desperately needed, the signing could be well worth it.
Matthews will join L.T. Walton, Heyward and Tuitt as the primary defensive linemen entering the 2016 season. The team is still expected to address the position in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft.