Pittsburgh Steelers Re-Sign Arthur Moats And Matt Spaeth; Release Brett Keisel
By Larry Snyder
The Pittsburgh Steelers were busy on Monday as they continue to make off-season adjustments to the roster.
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The team signed Arthur Moats to a three-year contract that will keep him with the Black and Gold through 2017.
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound linebacker, who turns 27 this Saturday, March 14, contributed four sacks in his first season at Heinz Field in 2014. The James Madison University product also recorded 24 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. The Norfolk, Virginia native joined the Steelers last spring after playing four seasons with the Buffalo Bills.
At the moment, Pittsburgh needs assistance at outside linebacker. Both James Harrison and Jason Worilds are free agents, which leaves Jarvis Jones as the only experienced outside linebacker on the roster.
Moats said on Twitter…
Steeler Nation, I'm proud to announce that my family and I will be staying in Pittsburgh! #GoSteelers!
— Arthur Moats (@dabody52) March 9, 2015
The offense was not overlooked as Pittsburgh also agreed to terms Monday with Matt Spaeth, 31, on a new two-year contract. He had been scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The 6-foot-7, 260-pound tight end appeared in 15 regular season contests in 2014. The St. Michael, Minn. native caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown.
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He was drafted by the Black and Gold in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft out of the University of Minnesota. Spaeth left through free agency after the 2010 season and spent the next two campaigns with Chicago before returning to Pittsburgh as a free agent after his release by the Bears in 2013. He has 53 receptions for 410 yards and 10 touchdowns over eight seasons in the NFL.
The Steelers also began the second week of March by releasing veteran defensive lineman Brett Keisel.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive end from Provo, Utah played 13 seasons for the team from 2002-2014 after being selected in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He participated in 156 games with 114 starts during the regular season.
The Brigham Young University product’s career regular-season totals include 30 sacks, 36 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and two interceptions. One of those picks resulted in a 79-yard return for a touchdown.
Over the course of his career, Keisel helped Pittsburgh achieve victory in Super Bowls 40 and 43. He was named the Steelers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2011 for his accomplishments on and off the gridiron.
The man who wore No. 99 was the co-recipient of the 2006 Pro Football Writers’ “The Chief Award.” The accolade was created to honor team founder, Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. It is awarded annually to the one Pittsburgh player that best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation with the media.
Keisel said on Twitter…
It's been awesome! I love yinz!
— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) March 9, 2015
Rounding out the day, the Black and Gold offered one-year tenders to restricted free agents cornerback Antwon Blake, safety Robert Golden, and fullback Will Johnson. All three appeared in 16 regular season contests in 2014 and in the playoff matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
The tenders reserve for the Steelers the right to retain the trio of players by matching any offer sheet they would sign with another team.