Watts started his career in Minnesota, playing three years for the Vikings, before one-year stints with the Bears and Steelers. He has managed 22 starts across 75 appearances in five seasons in the league and should begin his time in New England as a rotational players in sub-packages.

The signing was announced by his agents at GSE Football. The 26-year-old, four-year veteran made 21 starts over the previous two seasons for the Vikings and Bears but has received below average defensive marks against the run in each professional season. Watts would be best served playing situational snaps as a pass rusher for the Steelers, an area of the game he has excelled at in the past.

Watts appeared in all 17 games last season, making nine starts and playing 56% of the defensive snaps. But with the new regime in town, the Vikings are cleaning house of all the misfits for the new schemes. Watts should definitely land on his feet elsewhere.

Watts has already been placed on IR, so his season is over. This report reveals how serious the hamstring pull Watts suffered in the regular-season finale is, but the 23-year-old should be good to go for the offseason program. His absence mainly will affect the Vikings' depth on the defensive front, as he didn't play more than 20 defensive snaps until the team rested its starters in the finale.