The Steelers’ Contract Conundrum: A Tale of Priorities and Perception
Let’s start with a question that’s been nagging at me since the Steelers’ recent contract moves: Why the rush to lock down Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington before addressing Joey Porter Jr.? It’s a head-scratcher, especially when you consider the market for cornerbacks right now. Personally, I think the Steelers might have miscalculated their priorities here. Porter Jr. isn’t just another player—he’s a cornerstone of their defense, and letting him enter the final year of his contract without an extension feels like playing with fire.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the ripple effect of Herbig’s $100 million deal. In my opinion, that contract set an internal benchmark that could come back to haunt the Steelers. If you’re Porter Jr. or his agent, you’re looking at Herbig’s numbers and thinking, ‘Wait, I’m only worth $2 million more than a backup edge rusher?’ This raises a deeper question: Are the Steelers undervaluing their star players while overpaying for depth?
One thing that immediately stands out is Mark Madden’s critique of the Herbig deal. He called it ‘insanity,’ and while that’s a strong word, I can’t say I disagree entirely. Giving a backup edge rusher $25 million per year feels like a misallocation of resources, especially when you consider the team’s other needs. What many people don’t realize is that these contracts aren’t just about the money—they’re about signaling to the locker room and the league where your priorities lie.
Now, let’s talk about Keeanu Benton. The speculation around his potential $16–$18 million contract is baffling. From my perspective, Benton hasn’t proven himself as a game-changer, yet the Steelers seem willing to bet big on his potential. This isn’t just about Benton—it’s about a broader pattern of the Steelers overcommitting to unproven talent while leaving proven stars like Porter Jr. in limbo.
What this really suggests is that the Steelers’ front office might be operating on a ‘keep everyone happy’ philosophy rather than a ‘win-now’ strategy. Madden’s critique of their roster construction hits the nail on the head: they’re a family that plays together but doesn’t win enough together. If you take a step back and think about it, this approach feels more like a participation trophy than a championship blueprint.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the Steelers’ drought since their last postseason win in 2016. In a league where the window for contention is narrow, every contract decision matters. By spreading their resources across depth players instead of locking down their stars, the Steelers risk squandering their competitive edge.
This brings me to a broader trend in the NFL: the balancing act between retaining talent and staying financially flexible. Teams like the Chiefs and Bills have mastered this, but the Steelers seem stuck in a middle ground. Personally, I think they’re at a crossroads—either double down on their stars or risk becoming a team that’s perpetually good but never great.
In conclusion, the Steelers’ contract strategy feels like a gamble that could backfire spectacularly. While Herbig and Washington are solid players, prioritizing them over Porter Jr. sends the wrong message. If I were in the Steelers’ front office, I’d be rethinking my approach before it’s too late. Because in the NFL, loyalty is great, but championships are what matter most.
