The Steelers defensive line was so devastated by injuries last season that they signed Montravius Adams off the practice squad of the Saints and started him the next week against the Ravens at nose tackle in Week 12 of last season.
Tuesday, they gave the 26-year-old Adams a considerable raise.
The Steelers signed Adams to a two-year, $5 million contract on Tuesday as an unrestricted free agent, bringing back what they hope will be a valuable depth piece.
Adams wound up being more than that in 2021, starting four games at nose tackle down the stretch for the Steelers, who were missing Tyson Alualu and Stephon Tuitt for all but five quarters last season.
In five games with the Steelers, Adams had two tackles, including one for a loss, and three quarterback hits.
He's expected to slide back into a reserve role in 2022 with Alualu and Tuitt expected to return and start next to Cam Heyward.
Adams was a third-round draft pick out of Auburn of the Packers in 2017. He's also spent time with the Saints and Patriots.
In 55 career games, he has 59 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Adams' signing comes after a busy Monday for the Steelers after the legal tampering period began Monday in the NFL. The Steelers agreed to terms with quarterback Mitch Trubisky and interior offensive lineman Mason Cole and re-signed offensive tackle Chuks Okorafor. They also tendered offers to restricted free agents Dwayne Haskins, Robert Spillane and Marcus Allen.
