The Pittsburgh Steelers signed former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden to a one-year deal on Wednesday, giving them some depth behind star running backs TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith.
Golden, 32, has spent most of his eight NFL seasons with Arizona, racking up 47 sacks in 111 games with the Cardinals and New York Giants.
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Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on November 6, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Golden had 2 1/2 sacks last year for Arizona and finished with 48 tackles, tied for the third-highest total of his career.
The Steelers need help at outside linebacker after strengthening the inside linebacker in free agency by signing Washington’s Cole Holcomb and New England’s Elandon Roberts.
Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals runs down the field against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 16, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Tom Hauck/fake images (Tom Hauck/fake images)
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Watt, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, missed half the season in 2022 after tearing a pectoral muscle in a Week 1 win over Cincinnati. Highsmith flourished in Watt’s absence, recording a career-high 14 1/2 sacks for him.
Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals jumps onto the field before an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Los Angeles Rams won 20-12. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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The Steelers are committed to keeping Highsmith, who is entering the final year of his contract, for the long term. Golden gives them some short-term depth for a team that needs experienced players to help keep Watt and Highsmith fresh later in the season.