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Steelers Free Agency: William Gay Re-Signed

By Kim Myers

Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Steelers took another step on Tuesday to retaining their in-house free agents with the signing of a veteran cornerback.

The team announced on Tuesday afternoon that they had agreed to terms with cornerback William Gay on a three-year contract. They did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. Seems like three-year deals are all the rage so far with the Steelers free agency.

They signed safety Robert Golden and receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey to three-year deals on Monday, preventing them from becoming free agents when the new league year begins on Wednesday.

Gay will begin his 10th NFL season and his ninth with the Steelers this year after having spent a year in Pittsburgh West playing for the Cardinals in 2012. He was a fifth-round draft pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Louisville for the Steelers.

Gay was voted as a defensive team captain for the first time in his career in 2015 and set an NFL record for the most consecutive interceptions returned for touchdowns (five). Gay is tied with former Steelers HOF cornerback Rod Woodson for the most pick-sixes in franchise history (five).

And just for S’s & G’s, let’s take a look at Gay’s epic touchdown celebration when he set that NFL record last season.

Gay made headlines in 2015 by becoming

the face of the “No More” movement

which advocates against domestic violence. He was also the only cornerback on record for the league to not have allowed a touchdown for the 2015 season.

What does this signing mean for the Steelers’ secondary? It was an expected re-signing and could mean that the team will not pursue a long-term deal with cornerback Brandon Boykin, whom they traded for during training camp this season.

It’s another good, safe signing by the Steelers and proves that their first priority in free agency remains the same as it always is; to retain their in-house free agents. The secondary will benefit most, however, with a true No. 1 corner for Gay to compliment as opposed to some kind of rotation between guys like Boykin and Antwon Blake.

It could also mean that the days for cornerback Cortez Allen with the Steelers are numbered. I could definitely see them designating him to be a post-June 1st cut and adding more cornerback depth in the draft.

Next: Who are the Steelers meeting on offense?

What do you think of the re-signing of cornerback William Gay, Steeler Nation?

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