Report: Former Packers starter signs with the Steelers
Former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Dean Lowry has finally found a new home as NFL free agency begins to wind down.
The 33rd Team’s NFL insider Ari Meirov reports that Lowry has accepted a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meirov reports that veteran quarterback Kyle Allen has also signed with the Steelers. After acquiring former Chicago Bears first-round pick Justin Fields and signing veteran star Russell Wilson, the Steelers added Allen as their third new quarterback this offseason.
In order to secure a spot on the 53-man roster, Allen and Lowry will probably need to battle it out during training camp. They will be up against defensive linemen like Larry Ogunjobi, Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and others.
The NFL Career of Dean Lowry
Despite never being a household name, Lowry has had a pretty good NFL career.
During his four years in the program, he recorded 13 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 5 pass breakups in his senior year of 2015, which earned him a spot on the second team of the Big Ten.
Lowry spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Packers, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft thanks to his impressive senior season. The Northwestern alumnus even performed well enough during his first contract to secure a $20 million, three-year extension in 2019.
Over seven seasons, Lowry finished with 15.5 sacks, 16 pass breakups, one interception, and one defensive score with the Green Bay Packers. Lowry signed a two-year contract with the team’s rival, the Minnesota Vikings, after the 2022 season.
Following a lackluster 2023 campaign that resulted in Lowry being placed on injured reserve, the 29-year-old was freed this summer. Luckily for him, the Steelers extended their offer to him to continue his NFL career quickly.
Aaron Jones, Jonathan Owens Also in New Places
Lowry isn’t the only former Packers player to find a new home this offseason. In fact, several players from last year’s Green Bay team have joined divisional rivals for the 2024 season.
Aaron Jones is the most notable name to be playing for an NFC North rival. The Packers parted ways with one of the all-time rushing leaders in franchise history, cutting Jones in favor of free agent running back Josh Jacobs. It didn’t take long before Jones decided on his next team, quickly signing a one-year deal with the Vikings.
Former Packers players signing with divisional rivals is nothing new, but the loss of Jones will sting for fans heading into 2024.
Meanwhile, former Packers safety Jonathan Owens landed a new contract with the Chicago Bears. The husband of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, Owens played just one season with the Packers. He finished the year with 84 combined tackles, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Owens will have a tough time cracking Chicago’s starting lineup, with plenty of depth in their secondary. Along with former second-round pick Jaquan Brisker, the Bears also signed former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to a two-year deal worth up to $15 million.
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