ESPN’s Field Yates is reporting the Pittsburgh Steelers have claimed OT Jake Rodgers off of waivers.
Rodgers, as the tweet indicates, was claimed off waivers after the Houston Texans released him earlier this week. He signed a two year futures contract with Houston this winter. He’ll earn $480,000 in 2018 if he sticks on the roster.
If the name sounds familiar to you, it should. Rodgers was in camp with the Steelers last season. Released at final cutdowns, he bounced on and off the practice squad for most of the season. He was released a final time on December 19th. Houston signed him two days later. The Atlanta Falcons originally drafted him in the 7th round back in 2015.
Here’s what I wrote about Rodgers after the team broke camp last August.
Jake Rodgers: The problem with a guy like Rodgers is how few reps he received. Similar to Cooper, he was relegated to the third team but in Cooper’s case, Pouncey missing lots of time, Foster getting rest, and Finney’s half-day all made for an opportunity for additional reps. Gilbert and Villanueva missed a total of two practices. Same story in the Giants’ game, seeing only a handful of snaps late.
Like others, Rodgers was healthy and available for every practice, a must for any player trying to get noticed. He’s an above average athlete with the length to seal the edge. Gets square as a run blocker and looks to finish. But the speedier/bendier edge rushers can get under him; T.J. Watt gave him fits the few times they matched up.”
II ended it with a camp grade of a “C.” He’ll be in a similar role this time around, likely running with the third team tackles. Clearly though, he’s done enough to impressive during his time in Pittsburgh and maybe this time around, he’ll have a better opportunity to stick. And if he doesn’t, he can fall back on his job in the lead role of the Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure reboot.
Rodgers’ signing should put the Steelers back at a full 90 man roster (91 if you count the international player). The Steelers got under that 90 man maximum after placing Ryan Shazier on Reserve/PUP, officially ending his season.
Check out the futures report I wrote on him last offseason at the link here.
