http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/Demarcus-Ayers-turned-down-other-offers-to-stay-with-Steelers-49851704
Demarcus Ayers turned down other offers to stay with Steelers
Demarcus Ayers had offers to join other NFL teams when he was left off of the Steelers' 53-man roster coming out of training camp. But Ayers, who was promoted to the team's active roster on Monday, will look to make his season debut this Sunday against the Bengals.
One of Pittsburgh's two seventh round picks in this year's draft, Ayers recently told Steelers reporter Chris Bradford that he wanted to remain in Pittsburgh despite fielding several calls to sign with another NFL team before the start of the regular season. The Steelers lost one of their rookies, sixth round pick Travis Feeney, when the Saints signed him off of Pittsburgh's practice squad last Friday, as the team made sure they didn't lose another rookie by promoting Ayers three days later.
“I chose to say here because I felt like this is where I got drafted at,” Ayers said on Thursday. “I didn’t want to quit on this team. I know the playbook. I know the guys. It was my decision to stay. Who knows what would’ve happened if I left? This is where I wanted to be, and I’m just happy that (it) happened.
“This team has made a tremendous jump, fought through adversity the whole season. I wouldn’t rather go to another team that’s not going to be a playoff team. If this team wins a Super Bowl, and I don’t have anything to show for it? So, I’m just glad I was able to stick it out here.”
Ayers, who mimicked Tyrod Taylor during last week's practices, enjoyed a breakout season at Houston in 2015, catching 98 passes for 1,222 yards with six touchdowns. The 5'9, 190-pound receivers was Steelers special team's coach Danny Smith's No.1 rated return man coming into the draft, returning 71 kickoffs and 33 punts during his time with the Cougars while scoring touchdowns in both capacities.
Ayers, who was slowed by an ankle injury sustained during training camp, is expected to show fans what he can do now that he is healthy and a member of the team's 53-man roster.
“I think I started to figure things out once I got healthy,” Ayers said. “Just been working hard, showing them that I can work hard, no matter what the circumstances were, (that) I could stick around and just making a name for myself and showing them that I belong in the NFL.
“All I know is I’m going to go hard work hard,” Ayers said. “Whether they ask to me to block or give me the ball, I’m just excited to be put on this team in a position to help them win.”
Demarcus Ayers turned down other offers to stay with Steelers
Demarcus Ayers had offers to join other NFL teams when he was left off of the Steelers' 53-man roster coming out of training camp. But Ayers, who was promoted to the team's active roster on Monday, will look to make his season debut this Sunday against the Bengals.
One of Pittsburgh's two seventh round picks in this year's draft, Ayers recently told Steelers reporter Chris Bradford that he wanted to remain in Pittsburgh despite fielding several calls to sign with another NFL team before the start of the regular season. The Steelers lost one of their rookies, sixth round pick Travis Feeney, when the Saints signed him off of Pittsburgh's practice squad last Friday, as the team made sure they didn't lose another rookie by promoting Ayers three days later.
“I chose to say here because I felt like this is where I got drafted at,” Ayers said on Thursday. “I didn’t want to quit on this team. I know the playbook. I know the guys. It was my decision to stay. Who knows what would’ve happened if I left? This is where I wanted to be, and I’m just happy that (it) happened.
“This team has made a tremendous jump, fought through adversity the whole season. I wouldn’t rather go to another team that’s not going to be a playoff team. If this team wins a Super Bowl, and I don’t have anything to show for it? So, I’m just glad I was able to stick it out here.”
Ayers, who mimicked Tyrod Taylor during last week's practices, enjoyed a breakout season at Houston in 2015, catching 98 passes for 1,222 yards with six touchdowns. The 5'9, 190-pound receivers was Steelers special team's coach Danny Smith's No.1 rated return man coming into the draft, returning 71 kickoffs and 33 punts during his time with the Cougars while scoring touchdowns in both capacities.
Ayers, who was slowed by an ankle injury sustained during training camp, is expected to show fans what he can do now that he is healthy and a member of the team's 53-man roster.
“I think I started to figure things out once I got healthy,” Ayers said. “Just been working hard, showing them that I can work hard, no matter what the circumstances were, (that) I could stick around and just making a name for myself and showing them that I belong in the NFL.
“All I know is I’m going to go hard work hard,” Ayers said. “Whether they ask to me to block or give me the ball, I’m just excited to be put on this team in a position to help them win.”
