Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers signed former New England Patriots inside linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley to their practice squad on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Bentley explained why he signed with the Steelers over a few other teams.
“No, I had a few in there,” Bentley said when asked about if the Steelers were the only team interested. “None of that matters, though. I’m where I need to be.
“It worked out. I felt like it’s all about timing. I put everything in God’s hands, I think everything’s a blessing. Coach Tomlin knows a bunch of people that I know, especially me growing up. It’s been good. It’s got a family feel here. Not saying it’s not a family feel everywhere else, but this kind of felt like a good fit.”
Bentley is a big thumper of a run stopper, who spent seven seasons with the Patriots.
Inside linebacker Payton Wilson has been a big liability in the first two games. Bentley could provide a boost to the run defense defense that has struggled immensely.
“That’s a good characteristic to have when you’re playing football,” Bentley said about his physicality. “So that’s something I would like to bring with me everywhere I go: just being a physical player and doing whatever I need to do to help teams win.
“We’re just taking it one day at a time. It’s my first day out here, so right now I’m just looking to get all the reps in, meet all the people I need to meet. … Everybody’s been showing me the way. I’m getting used to wearing this black and gold. It feels good.”
The Steelers play Bentley’s former team on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
Bentley missed nearly all of the 2024 season after sustaining a pectoral injury in Week 2. Before the injury, he recorded 12 combined tackles, including 0.5 sacks, in two games during the 2024 season.
In his 83 career games (67 starts), Bentley has recorded 509 tackles (209 solos), 10.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 29 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries and 11 passes defended.
Bentley criticized the Patriots’ decision to release Jabrill Peppers, who’s now with the Steelers.
“Where great players can’t play in it? Must be a helluva scheme,” Bentley wrote on X.
New England parted ways with Bentley in late March, while Peppers was released just before the season after signing an extension just 13 months prior. They’ll now get a chance to play their former team on Sunday.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: New Downhill Physical LB Explains Why He Signed with Steelers
