4 reasons Steelers Villanueva won’t be re-signed after 2020

Alejandro Villanueva has been a fantastic signing, but here’s why the Steelers won’t give him another contract after the 2020 season.

Few Steelers have had as big of a success story as current left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, as the former serviceman converted from defensive line to offensive line, elevated himself from the practice squad, and has become one of the better blockers in the NFL. As well, he has been playing on a massive discount since signing his first extension with the team, and with his contract up next year, he is likely looking for his final big payday. Here are the four reasons he won’t be resigned after this season.

Gauging his market value

As I have done before, it is important to see what Villanueva’s average annual value (AAV) should be based on others at his position. Given his talent and age, he won’t be paid like a Ronnie Stanley, but a recent contract handed out should be seen as his floor. The Broncos locked up Garett Bolles to a huge deal that pays him $17 million a year. While he is certainly having a better season than Villanueva, this was his true first good season as a pro. Given the fact that Villanueva has constantly been good, it would make sense that he gets at least what Bolles got.

More to the point, fellow future free agent Trent Williams’s free-agent projection comes in at $18.2 million a season. Considering Villanueva is having as good of, if not a slightly better season than Williams, it seems fair that he would get a contract of similar value. All said, Villanueva’s market value could be as high as $16-18.5 million per season. Frankly, as a top offensive lineman that has been playing on such a cheap deal, he deserves every penny of it.