Saints Sign Former Steelers Linebacker to Bolster Defense
By Michael Luciano
The New Orleans Saints lack the cap space to make a ton of big moves in the name of bolstering the squad in 2020, but that hasn't stopped GM Mickey Loomis from making incremental improvements, especially on defense.
The Saints added more depth on that side of the ball by adding former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker and pass rusher Anthony Chickillo on a one-year deal.
Former #Steelers LB Anthony Chickillo has agreed on a 1-year deal with the #Saints, per @RosenhausSports.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 21, 2020
Chickillo, a former sixth-round pick out of Miami, has moonlighted as a defensive end, outside linebacker, and inside linebacker in Pittsburgh, recording 97 tackles and 7.5 sacks during his five-year tenure under Mike Tomlin.
In Dennis Allen's 4-3 defense, Wisconsin rookie Zack Baun, Demario Davis, and Kiko Alonso are pencilled in as the starters. Chickillo will compete for time against former third-round pick Alex Anzalone and a pair of undrafted free agents in Utah's Chase Hansen and Michigan State's Joe Bachie.
Man, I don't know if it was him being back in Florida or what. But Anthony Chickillo played really well Monday. Finally playing with physicality and violence. Destroys LT Donovan Smith on this rep. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/C4P5c4nLFp
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 26, 2018
The lows were extremely low on the field in Pittsburgh, but Chickillo has proven enough to earn a second contract as a quality backup linebacker and pass rusher for a defense in need of depth at both of those positions.