The Pittsburgh Steelers have claimed Devin Gardner on waivers from the New England Patriots.
Gardner, 23, was listed as a wide receiver by the Patriots, but had spent most of his collegiate career as a quarterback at the University of Michigan. As a senior in 2014, he started 12 games, passing for 1896 yards and 10 touchdowns while leading the Wolverines to a 5-7 record.
He was noted as dual-threat quarterback for Michigan, often making plays with his legs as well as his arms. In 2013, his 3443 yards of total offense was the second-most in school history.
The Patriots planned to transition Garnder, who is 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, to a wide receiver, following in the footsteps of Julian Edelman, who made the same transition in New England. Gardner, a Detroit, Michigan native, hasn’t played wide receiver since 2012.
The Patriots released Gardner in a series of roster moves early on Tuesday. The Steelers waived WR L’Damain Washington to make room for Gardner on their roster.
The Steelers also have third-round draft pick Sammie Coates, undrafted rookies Tyler Murphy and Eli Rogers and first-year player C.J. Goodwin at wide receiver to go along with returning veterans Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton and Darrius-Heyward Bey.
The Steelers will wrap up Phase Two of their offseason program on Thursday. Organized Team Activites (OTAs) will begin next week and take place over three weeks.
Photo credit: CBS sports
