Steelers News: Derek Watt to the Steelers wasn’t all about playing with his brother

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 season is officially over. After finishing the year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, has another long offseason awaiting them. Just because the games are done doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how Derek Watt coming to the Steelers wasn’t all about playing with brother T.J., like many thought.

Let’s get to the news:

• Derek Watt to the Steelers...not all about playing with T.J. Watt.

Reunion with little brother was secondary reason for Derek Watt signing with Steelers

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

When Derek Watt hit free agency for the first time last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers were among a handful of teams to show interest in the 27-year-old fullback.

He didn’t know how much interest until the 48-hour legal tampering period was over. It turns out his agents spared his nerves by intentionally devaluing the potential reunion of Derek with younger brother T.J. on the Steelers.

“The day I ended up getting the offer and choosing the Steelers, they revealed to me they were downplaying it because they knew how excited I would be for that opportunity to play with T.J. and for such a great organization,” Derek Watt said Thursday on a conference call with Steelers beat reporters.

“(My agent) revealed that, all along, they were one of the teams that wanted you bad.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Ravens favored to win the AFC Norht in 2020, even though no team has ever won the division three straight years.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens favored to three-peat as AFC North champs

By: Ameer Tyree, DraftKings

The Baltimore Ravens are looking to repeat as AFC North champs in 2020, and they have a good chance to do that following Lamar Jackson’s MVP season. The Ravens finished with a league-best 14-2 record while setting a single season for rushing yards and will return key players on both sides of the ball.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are expected to get better though. We break down the DraftKings Sportsbook odds of each AFC North team winning the division title here.

Baltimore Ravens (-177)

The Ravens opened the year as favorites at -177 and haven’t budged since then. Jackson, Marquise Brown, Mark Ingram, and Mark Andrews are all back, so it’s hard to see the offense dropping off much, despite the retirement of Marshal Yanda. Baltimore also brought back its top pass rusher, Matthew Judon, by naming him the franchise player. Adding Michael Brockers and Calais Campbell to the defensive line didn’t do much for Baltimore from a betting perspective, but the Ravens remains a sturdy team all around.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Eric Ebron’s upside far outweighs his risk...

Why Eric Ebron’s upside outweighs the risk for Steelers

By: Brooke Pryor, ESPN

Entering free agency with virtually no cap space, it appeared the only way the Pittsburgh Steelers could acquire a tight end would be in the NFL draft.

But the front office mortgaged the future to win now, restructuring big-ticket contracts like those of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, defensive back Steven Nelson and center Maurkice Pouncey to secure a high-priority player: tight end Eric Ebron.

“[Steelers coach Mike Tomlin] told me he’s been on me since I was a Tar Heel, and he’s happy to get one of the guys he wanted out of college,” Ebron told ESPN’s Josina Anderson a week ago. “He said, being a defensive coach, he knows I’m hard to game plan against, and I’m excited to come.”

Considering the Jacksonville Jaguars recently signed oft-injured tight end Tyler Eifert to a two-year deal reportedly worth $15.5 million, Ebron’s two-year, $12 million contract is a good deal for the Steelers.

More of a hybrid wide receiver than a traditional tight end, the Detroit Lions’ 2014 first-round pick brings a playmaking ability the Steelers need to maximize the championship window they hope opens upon Roethlisberger’s return from an elbow injury.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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