Former Steelers draft pick Ryan Watts' career likely done after neck injury

Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Apr 28, 2025

Published in Football

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PITTSBURGH — Steelers safety Ryan Watts is stepping away from football due to the neck injury that ended his rookie season before it began.

Watts injured his neck during a preseason game against the Lions last summer and spent his rookie season on injured reserve.

"After consulting with our medical team, our medical experts, and Ryan's representatives, we all agree that it is in Ryan's best interests to discontinue playing football at this time," Steelers general manager Omar Khan said in a statement released by the team Monday morning. "We will continue to assist and support Ryan as he transitions into the next phase of his life."

The Steelers selected Watts with the No. 195 overall pick in the sixth round last season and was on his way to making the 53-man roster before he was injured.

Watts remained in Pittsburgh last season as he rehabilitated and began working out under the supervision of the training staff, but he was never cleared to resume football activities.

Adams released

After drafting defensive linemen Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black over the weekend, the Steelers are moving on from veteran Montravius Adams, who had one year left on his contract.

Adams, who has been with the Steelers since the middle of the 2021 season, was set to make $2.25 million in salary for the 2025 season, and the team will save that amount with the move.

In 46 games with the Steelers, including 17 starts, Adams tallied 72 tackles and had one sack. He dressed for 11 games last season.

Adams, who will turn 30 this summer, previously played for the Packers and Saints. His departure leaves the Steelers with 10 defensive linemen on their offseason roster as they prepare for OTAs next month.

Sullivan gone, too

Mike Sullivan, who had been on Mike Tomlin's staff since 2021, is no longer with the team.

Sullivan was hired to be quarterbacks coach in 2021 and served in that role through the 2023 season. He was promoted to co-offensive coordinator late in the 2023 season after the Steelers fired Matt Canada.

When Tomlin hired Arthur Smith to be the team's new offensive coordinator last year, Tomlin kept Sullivan as a senior offensive assistant. His contract was not renewed.