PITTSBURGH, June 17 (UPI) -- Quarterback Charlie Batch, a native of Homestead, Pa., on signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday after also being courted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The 27-year-old Batch will compete with Tommy Maddox for the backup job to starting quarterback Kordell Stewart in Pittsburgh. Jacksonville wanted him to serve as a backup to Mark Brunell.
Batch, 27, was essentially squeezed out in Detroit when the Lions selected Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington with the third overall pick in the April draft.
Never comfortable in rookie coach Marv Mornhinweg's West Coast offense, Batch lost his starting job to Mike McMahon last season and missed the last five games with a shoulder injury. He completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,392 yards and 12 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in 10 games, all losses.
Backup Mike McMahon led the Lions to their only two wins in five starts and will compete with Harrington for the starting job in 2002.
A second-round pick in 1998, Batch started 46 of 48 games in four seasons with the Lions, completing 56 percent of his passes for 9,016 yards and 49 touchdowns with 40 interceptions.
