Steelers owner Art Rooney II said Thursday, per Gerry Dulac, that they’re trying to sign DE Stephon Tuitt to a contract extension before the start of the 2017 season.
Last we heard regarding Tuitt, Jason La Canfora mentioned that it is possible Pittsburgh could get a deal finalized with Tuitt.
There was talk about a possible extension for Tuitt dating back to February, but it appears as though the team is getting serious about a potential deal.
It would make plenty of sense for the Steelers to try to get an agreement in place before the regular season, as Tuitt is one of the team’s best young defensive players and is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Waiting until next year, could not only be very costly for Pittsburgh but they would also run the risk of losing him in free agency if they’re unable to strike a deal before the market officially opens in March.
Tuitt, 24, is a former second-round pick of the Steelers back in 2014. He’s currently in the final year of his four-year, $4,609,444 rookie contract and stands to make a base salary of $1,048,560 for the 2017 season.
Tuitt will be an unrestricted free agent in 2018.
In 2016, Tuitt appeared in 14 games for the Steelers and recorded 37 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and three pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 20 interior defensive lineman out of 127 qualifying players.
We’ll have more regarding a new deal for Tuitt as the news is available.
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