The NFL owners meetings are in full swing, but the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to make moves in free agency. Their latest came at linebacker, as the team came to terms with Buffalo Bills linebacker Arthur Moats.
#Steelers have signed former Bills LB Arthur Moats to a one-year, $795,000 contract. He will back up Jason Worilds and Jarvis Jones.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 24, 2014
Moats entered the NFL as a 6th round pick for the Buffalo Bills in 2010. As a rookie he started 4 games and amassed 2.5 sacks. HE didn’t get a start in his sophomore season, but did notch 2.5 more sacks. He didn’t start a game in his third season, but did make 11 starts at weakside linebacker for the Bills in 2013.
- The Steelers signed him to a one year deal with $795,000 with a $65,000 signing bonus.
That might sound like a low amount of money for a 26 year old linebacker with 19 starts to his name, but Moats stat sheet reveals little in the a of splash plays.
The Steelers are reporting that Moats will back up at outside linebacker, although he is also capable of playing on the inside.
Debo Rumors Dead Plus Depth…?
Moats signing immediately calls into question the rumors that the Steelers were set to resign James Harrison. Some in the media have suggested this move end’s Harrison’s chances of a return.
Arthur Moats means no James Harrison? Let’s hope so
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) March 24, 2014
That may well be the case, as the pro’s and con’s of resigning Harrison are real. But the Steelers were not likely to bring back Harrison before June first anyway.
- What Moats signing does do is provide an injection of depth at linebacker.
Given his ability to play on the inside as well as the outside, Moats addition arguably makes inside linebacker one of the Steelers deepest position. The Steelers of course have Lawrence Timmons and Vince Williams. There’s also Terence Garvin and, if the injury optimists are right, Sean Spence could be a factor.
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