The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially moving on from one of their 2024 draft picks, cornerback Ryan Watts. On Monday, the Steelers announced the release of Ryan Watts, bringing an unfortunate end to a promising career that was derailed by injury.
Ryan Watts, 23, was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the former Ohio State and Texas standout never got a chance to showcase his skills on the field during the regular season. Watts suffered a serious neck injury late in the preseason, landing him on injured reserve for the entire 2024 season.
In a statement, Steelers General Manager Omar Khan addressed the decision to release Ryan Watts:
“Unfortunately, today we are releasing Ryan Watts from our roster. After consulting with our medical team, medical experts, and Ryan’s representatives, we all agree that it is in Ryan’s best interest to discontinue playing football at this time. We will continue to assist and support Ryan as he transitions to the next phase of his life.”
The Ryan Watts injury proved to be career-altering, despite initial hopes for a full recovery. After careful medical evaluation, it became clear that returning to professional football would pose significant risks to Watts’ health.
Ryan Watts Steelers journey began with high expectations. After playing two seasons at Ohio State, Watts transferred to Texas, where he made a strong impact in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. His size, athleticism, and versatility made him an intriguing addition to Pittsburgh’s secondary during the draft.
Now, with Ryan Watts’ injury cutting short his NFL dreams, the Steelers organization remains committed to supporting him during this difficult transition.
Fans of Ryan Watts and the Steelers will undoubtedly continue to root for him as he moves forward with the next chapter of his life.
Stay tuned for more updates on former Steelers players and their post-football journeys.
