Steelers News: Foster, Allen, Starters
By Kim Myers
Steelers free agency is in full swing and that mean some players will stay and others will go.
Steelers season never truly ends for Steeler Nation so while the offseason starts to heat up we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Thursday, Mar. 10th.
Let’s make more memories
Steelers guard Ramon Foster broke his own re-signing news on Wednesday morning when he posted on Instagram a collage of Steelers photos along with these words:
"“Well let’s make more memories! I thank God for this opportunity, my wife and kids for their daily support and motivation to play this sport that’s considered my job. My family support (grandparents, Aunt Terri, Renardo, Lil Ron, Maurice, Tywalla, Meeka, Lil Mike, Big Ron, and Ms. Barb. Mom, I wish you were physically here for this event, I know you’re here in spirit and never left. Thanks to the whole Steelers organization, everyone! I could type forever on this lol, if I forgot your shout out, my bad, text me. Not a bad career so far for an undrafted kid out of Tennessee (Go Vols). #SteelerNation Let’s get it O Line.” – Ramon Foster"
A few questions. Why does Lil Ron get the shout out ahead of Big Ron? And how is there a Lil Mike and no Big Mike? If you signed a long-term deal with the Steelers who would you thank first? I would thank my twin sister, Jenn.
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Foster was signed to a three-year deal and this most likely means that tackle Kelvin Beachum is headed elsewhere. Beachum and the Steelers did not come to terms on a new deal before the deadline so he’s now an unrestricted free agent.
Might make sense to let Beachum go elsewhere for a team that will most likely overpay for him when the majority of the offensive line is already signed to large contracts you can have Alejandro Villanueva on the cheap.
You’re gonna have to give back some of that money
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that cornerback Cortez Allen has been asked by the Steelers to rework his contract. The Steelers signed Allen to a four-year, $24.6 million contract two years ago and are now asking him to rework the deal to take a pay cut.
If Allen rejects the deal the Steelers will most likely release him, probably designating him a post-June 1st cut, saving themselves $4.4 million in cap space. Typically a team doesn’t ask a player to take a pay cut unless they’re willing to let the player walk.
Perhaps a fresh start somewhere else would do both parties some good.
Starters turned free agents
The new NFL league year began at 4:00 pm ET on Wednesday and with that five Steelers starters became unrestricted free agents, free to sign with other teams. Ed Bouchette of the PPG explains that tackle Kelvin Beachum, nose tackle Steve McLendon, cornerback Antwon Blake, safety Will Allen and fullback Will Johnson all became free agents on Wednesday.
Next: Steelers to sign TE Ladarius Green
Any or all of them could still re-sign with the Steelers. My money is on Antwon Blake. In spite of his reputation of being burned in coverage he is a heavy hitter and known for the occasional interception. His return would be fine by me provided it’s on a backup and special teams level and not as a starter.