Pittsburgh Steelers to sign wide receiver Quez Watkins in free agency

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly signing wide receiver Quez Watkins in free agency this week, bolstering Russell Wilson‘s group of weapons, according to NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler. Watkins’ rookie deal with the Eagles ran out on March 13, making him a free agent for the first time in his career.

He’s coming off of a 2023 season in which he played in just nine games, recording 15 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. He dealt with a nagging hamstring injury that kept him out of games and sent him to IR for several weeks.

Over four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Watkins posted 98 catches, 1,249 yards and six touchdowns. The Eagles drafted him with the No. 200 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Southern Miss.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.