Steelers working on extension for guard David DeCastro

[RuthlessBurgher]

By Darin Gantt
August 4, 2016, 6:15 AM EDT
Steelers working on extension for guard David DeCastro

The Steelers are working on extending one of their brightest offensive stars, even if it’s not Antonio Brown.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Steelers have made some progress on a contract extension for guard David DeCastro.

He’s making $8.07 million under the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, but he’s clearly someone they want to keep around after an All-Pro season. The former first-round pick from Stanford has helped stabilize a line that was at one time the thing that held back a potent offense.

And the fact DeCastro has just the one year left is probably the key to any discussions, as they have been hesitant to deal with players with longer times left on their deals.

[RuthlessBurgher]

If David DeCastro gets extension, he might be the only Steeler who does
Posted by Darin Gantt on August 4, 2016, 3:41 PM EDT

Yes, the Steelers are working on a new contract for guard David DeCastro.

But it sounds like a number of their other players who are looking for more money are just going to have to wait.

Via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert reiterated the team’s stance against extending players with more than one year left on their current deals.

“What I’ve said is that we believe in our philosophy and I don’t see that changing,” Colbert said. “I’ve never addressed any player individually.”

And by individually, that means “not Antonio Brown,” though he’s not the only one looking for a bump from the Steelers. Brown has two years left on his current deal.

But there are other players looking, who might not find what they want in Pittsburgh. Bouchette added that Le’Veon Bell, Lawrence Timmons and Markus Wheaton “probably will not get extensions done this year.”

A deal with DeCastro doesn’t appear imminent, but at least they’re talking.

“This time of year we’re always open to doing something with guys who are eligible in our eyes to be extended,” Colbert said. “At this point we’re always flexible up to, . . . the start of the regular season [which] is the end of negotiations.”

Brown has made his case for a raise, and in many precincts, would likely get one. But unless you’re a quarterback, the Steelers won’t.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/08/04/if-david-decastro-gets-extension-he-might-be-the-only-steeler-who-does/[/URL]

[RuthlessBurgher]

Steelers linemen on David DeCastro talks: “Pay the man”
Posted by Darin Gantt on August 24, 2016, 6:05 AM EDT

The Steelers are working on a contract extension for guard David DeCastro, but they’re pushing up against their self-imposed deadline of the regular season.

So according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, his linemates are doing what they can to speed things up.

“Pay the man,” center Maurkice Pouncey said.

“Please, pay the man,” left guard Ramon Foster added.

Of course, the former first-round guard from Stanford is under contract through this year (after they picked up the $8 million option on his rookie deal), but they don’t want to face the prospect of losing him for nothing in free agency after the season.

“He deserves [to get paid], and hopefully they can get it done so he can stay around for a long time,” Pouncey said. “One thing I know for sure is that we have to sign him before that first game.”

DeCastro termed the talks between his side and the team as “Nothing really,” though that could change in an instant.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say I didn’t think about it, but at the same time, it is just so hard to dwell on it,” DeCastro said. “You have practice every day and you have other things to worry about to keep your mind busy, so that’s a blessing.”

And before his eventual payday rolls in — whether from the Steelers now or someone else later — he knows he has the support of his linemates.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/08/24/steelers-linemen-on-david-decastro-talks-pay-the-man/[/URL]

[K Train]

Pay the man

[SteelerOfDeVille]

this could be a good thing. might be able to lower his cap value this year, thus freeing up room to extend others (like Antonio Brown).

And if it's really Timmons' last year, next year's cap could be much more manageable, even with a hefty extension here...

[Oviedo]

They need to pay Antonio. Quit screwing around with that and our self imposed "rules." The guy is the best player at his position in the league. I'd rather have him than DeCastro but no reason both can't get done.

[K Train]

They will pay antonio, they will probably front load another big bonus and extend him at a market deal...which is going to be pricy.

Paying him what he is going to get now would be a silly move considering hes under a favorable contract and they can pacify him with another sizable bonus off the back end of his current deal.

I would be like paying decastro last year when they have a year left on a much more favorable rookie deal. Brown wants to get paid bad, but they threw him a bone as a unknown commodity and he rewarded them. He outplayed the contract from a stat standpoint, but he still signed the contract. I dont think there will be any bad blood between the sides if they wait until next year

The self imposed rules work, its why they dont stray from that and its why they generally have an air tight cap with a lot of talent on the roster...do they have a ton of cap space? No, but thats because they pay their guys well. THey dont have the money to spend $100 million on a high priced FA because of cap distribution amongst their own.

Few snags like Woodley and Cortez...but for the most part the steelers dont find themselves in cap hell for a reason

[phillyesq]

Pay the man

Agreed, and I think they will. There are two complicating factors - one is the asinine deal the Raiders gave Osemele.

I've also read elsewhere that the Steelers often look at pay on a unit, and are reluctant to pay one guy and upset the balance. If they consider Pouncey the leader of the line, they likely won't want to pay DD more than Pouncey.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Agreed, and I think they will. There are two complicating factors - one is the asinine deal the Raiders gave Osemele.

I've also read elsewhere that the Steelers often look at pay on a unit, and are reluctant to pay one guy and upset the balance. If they consider Pouncey the leader of the line, they likely won't want to pay DD more than Pouncey.

Pouncey's was a 6 year deal worth $45.49 million, but he signed it 2 years ago (contracts have inflated since then).

Osemele's stupid deal was 5 years for $58.5 million contract (that's elite tackle money, not guard money).

I'd guess that his deal would split the difference and go for 5 years and nearly $50 million (after all, Cam Heyward's 6 year deal last year was worth nearly $60 million). Maybe guarantee about $20 million or so of it.

[squidkid]

decastro is the best g in the league, pay him the most
pouncey us best c in league, pay him the most
brown is best wr in league, pay him the most
bell is best rb in league, pay him the most
ben is elite qb, pay him top 3 money
tuitt, pay him top 3
heyward, pay him top 3

if we 'pay the man', like some fans here keep saying to do for everyone of our players, we wont even be able to put 11 on the field

[RuthlessBurgher]

decastro is the best g in the league, pay him the most
pouncey us best c in league, pay him the most
brown is best wr in league, pay him the most
bell is best rb in league, pay him the most
ben is elite qb, pay him top 3 money
tuitt, pay him top 3
heyward, pay him top 3

if we 'pay the man', like some fans here keep saying to do for everyone of our players, we wont even be able to put 11 on the field

You just complained 2 days ago about Tomlin forcing a healthy and in his prime Keenan Lewis out the door. Guess who is healthy and in his prime now? David DeCastro.

[squidkid]

You just complained 2 days ago about Tomlin forcing a healthy and in his prime Keenan Lewis out the door. Guess who is healthy and in his prime now? David DeCastro.

if you think there is any correlation between tomlin running lewis out the door and not even offering a mediocre contract and 'fans' wanting to pay every player on the team top money, you are reaching more than usual

[K Train]

decastro is the best g in the league, pay him the most
pouncey us best c in league, pay him the most
brown is best wr in league, pay him the most
bell is best rb in league, pay him the most
ben is elite qb, pay him top 3 money
tuitt, pay him top 3
heyward, pay him top 3

if we 'pay the man', like some fans here keep saying to do for everyone of our players, we wont even be able to put 11 on the field

its really not that far off in your descriptions, its a talented group...except heywards full deal isnt even as much as the guaranteed money fletcher cox got

[squidkid]

its really not that far off in your descriptions, its a talented group...except heywards full deal isnt even as much as the guaranteed money fletcher cox got

true. sure seems like you should be able to win with that many 'elite' players at multiple positions.

[RuthlessBurgher]

if you think there is any correlation between tomlin running lewis out the door and not even offering a mediocre contract and 'fans' wanting to pay every player on the team top money, you are reaching more than usual

I would argue that the extensions given to Ben, Heyward, and Pouncey over the last few offseasons has been money well spent. Should the Steelers have let one of them walk to re-sign Keenan Lewis instead?

Well then what would you suggest the team do with DeCastro this offseason? With Brown next offseason? With Tuitt the offseason after that? All deserve healthy extensions. With the cap rising (and money like Timmons' $15 million cap hit coming off the books next year), we should be able to afford one big money extension like this each offseason for the next few years.

Bell is not even worth discussing right now, since there are too many question marks. Neither side should be interested in extending him now, because the team isn't going to hand out more guaranteed money to someone who has been so unreliable, and Bell himself wouldn't want to start bargaining when his value is at a low point right now either.