Team signs three, highlighted by Watkins
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Steelers have agreed to a deal with former Buffalo Bills backup quarterback Kyle Allen to complete — at least for now — the drastic makeover of the position.
Also, they have agreed to sign former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Dean Lowry to provide depth at that position.
The signings came on the same day they agreed to a deal with former Philadelphia Eagles receiver Quez Watkins, providing more depth to a position that was thinned by the trade of top receiver Diontae Johnson.
Allen, 28, has been with four other teams since signing as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 2018 and was brought in to back up Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. He has started 19 NFL games — 13 with the Panthers, six with the Washington Commanders — and thrown 26 touchdowns with 21 interceptions. He spent last season with the Bills, where he appeared in seven games but never attempted a pass.
Lowry, 29, a fourth-round pick by Green Bay in 2016, spent seven seasons with the Packers before playing last season in Minnesota.
He has started 84 of 120 NFL games and registered 15.5 sacks and five fumble recoveries in his career.
Watkins, 25, had 98 catches for 1,249 yards and six touchdowns in four seasons with the Eagles after being a sixth- round draft choice in 2020.
His best season was in 2021 when he had 43 catches for 647 yards and one touchdown, a 91-yarder.
While he is not the type of big-name receiver the Steelers have been seeking to replace Johnson, who was traded to the Carolina Panthers, Watkins adds experience and depth to go along with fellow free agent addition Van Jefferson.
Nonetheless, it does nothing to diminish the possibility of taking a wide receiver early in next month’s draft.
The Steelers are familiar with Watkins because assistant general manager Andy Weidl put together the 2020 draft board in Philadelphia when he was the Eagles’ vice president of player personnel.