Pittsburgh Steelers sign Alejandro Villanueva to a 4-year deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers have finally signed their starting left tackle, Alejandro Villanueva, to a contract extension.

After negotiating all summer, the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed Alejandro Villanueva to a four-year deal. The money details of this deal have yet to be released.

Villanueva was set to play the 2017 season on an exclusive rights tender, but the 28-year-old was determined to get a deal done this summer. Even without a deal, Villanueva participated in Steelers OTAs and minicamp and will now attend training camp as well.

The former Army Ranger started all 16 games last season and three playoff games all at left tackle. Villanueva part of the offensive line that helped Le’Veon Bell break records and hold Ben Roethlisberger to only 17 allowed sacks, the fewest of his career.

The deal got done as players began to arrive at training camp. As one of the favorites to upset defending Super Bowl champs, New England Patriots, the Steelers are looking to put all focus on preparing for the regular season.

“I personally take pride in executing to the best of my abilities for the expectations Coach (Mike) Munchak has for myself and I think that is the same for everybody,” Villanueva told Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. “Protecting Ben is very important. He is our quarterback. He is a guy we respect, love to play for, he is a guy that inspires us, drives the offense, the team. We understand the urgency to protect him.”

As the details of this deal begin to arise, Still Curtain will continue to update readers.