As the opening days of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp unfold, headlines seem to be flying out of Saint Vincent College. There has been no shortage of high profile story lines, from Antonio Brown’s Rolls-Royce entrance to Le’Veon Bell’s non-entrance. The most important stories entering the season, however, may not receive as much media coverage as they deserve. One of these crucial headlines is the contract of Stephon Tuitt. Tuitt is entering the final year in his rookie deal, meaning one of the Steelers key young players will be a free agent next season if Pittsburgh does not extend his contract.
Will Pittsburgh Steelers Extend Stephon Tuitt Before Regular Season?
This has become an increasingly important story as of late, with Tuitt leaving practice Monday with an ankle injury. This isn’t the first time Tuitt has dealt with injury recently, either. Tuitt underwent surgery on his hand in May, but he looked healthy before Monday’s early exit. Luckily for both the Steelers and Tuitt, the injury looks to only be minor. Aside from the practice time an injury costs a player, it may also cost him financially. With other contracts to work out and health issues, will the Steelers give Tuitt a contract extension before regular season play begins?
Consistency Is Key
It makes sense for the Steelers to want to extend Tuitt’s contract before he becomes a free agent next off-season. Tuitt has become one of the better young defensive talents in Pittsburgh. At 6’ 6” and over 300 pounds with tremendous skill, Tuitt has the ability to become a defensive superstar in Pittsburgh. He has also been consistent in his three years in Pittsburgh, seeing playing time in 44 of 48 regular season games. Keeping Tuitt alongside defensive captain Cam Heyward is crucial in the revitalization of this Steelers defense.
Payday Coming Soon
A healthy payday is coming Tuitt’s way if the deal can get done. Heyward was signed to a six-year, $59 million contract in 2015. While Tuitt cannot expect this type of money, he certainly will see an increase. Tuitt is due just over a million dollars this season on the last year of his rookie contract. While the Steelers want to extend Tuitt, the question of whether a deal will get done before the regular season remains. The Steelers will also be trying to sign Le’Veon Bell long-term after they couldn’t reach an agreement by this year’s franchise tag deadline.
The chances look good for Tuitt, with offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva signing a four year, $24 million contract last week. This leaves just Bell for Tuitt to contend with in training camp contract wise. With Bell’s absence, Tuitt’s deal should be top priority for the Steelers.
Stephon Tuitt has the potential to be a superstar in a nucleus of young Steelers talent on defense. Pittsburgh will most definitely need him to perform to his potential this season. Tuitt at his best will boost a defense that has been improving, but still not playing at a championship level. Working up front with the likes of Heyward and Javon Hargrave, Tuitt has a chance to be the piece that lifts the Steelers defense to a level necessary to contend for a Lombardi Trophy.
