The Steelers are knee-deep in extension season, but the contracts for the 2024 class are coming up pretty soon, too. As in, next year, and they figure to have a handful of worthy candidates. After all, three-fifths of their starting offensive line came out of that class. Right now, though, that group is just figuring out where they’re going to line up.
Thus far this offseason, the Steelers have signed three players to contract extensions. Among them are two from the draft class of 2023, with two more from that group to come. Already extended are TE Darnell Washington and OLB Nick Herbig. At the very least, they will extend CB Joey Porter Jr., too. Whether they work something out with DL Keeanu Benton, too, that’s less certain.
And that could be, at least partly, due to the knowledge that the Steelers will have a bunch of contract extensions to work out next season. That includes Mason McCormick, their fourth-round pick who has been a full-time starter for the majority of his career. First cemented at right guard, it appears he’s now on the move to the left side. But that’s his current focus, not what contract negotiations may come a year from now.
“I think it’s awesome. We’ve got a lot of good, young guys on this team. You want to see everybody eat and [sign contract extensions]”, McCormick said about the Steelers’ recent moves, via the team’s website. “We’re all focused on just playing ball and being the best that we can be. All of the other stuff, that’s not really for us to worry about”.
Along with McCormick, Pittsburgh also drafted T Troy Fautanu and C Zach Frazier in the first and second rounds, respectively. Both of already proven themselves, the former having done so in just one season. Effectively, Fautanu missed his rookie season due to injury. For many, Frazier is already in the conversation as one of the best centers in the league.
When it comes to contract extensions for the Steelers’ offensive line, Fautanu is in a different boat. As a former first-round pick, and at a premium position, the team will surely exercise his fifth-year option. Historically, they haven’t signed their first-round picks with two years left on their deal once the option is exercised.
That means the Steelers could sign Frazier and McCormick to contract extensions next year and Fautanu in 2028. The only other player who could realistically be looking at an extension from that class is third-round ILB Payton Wilson. Especially if the Steelers let Patrick Queen walk next year, they’ll want to extend him to keep him around.
But like the offensive linemen, Wilson has to focus on the present, not the future. Two years into their careers, they all still have a lot to prove. The contract extensions can wait, and this offseason helps prove it to them as they watch the Steelers take care of those who’ve earned them. Completing a deal later this offseason with Joey Porter will only further solidify that.
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