Mike Hilton to follow Alejandro Villanueva plan; seeks long-term deal not ERFA tender

[Buzz]

Well, LeVeon says the Steelers don't treat players like humans, so there's that.

[Buzz]

Saw a post on another site that said Hilton's agent is Drew Rosenhaus. Anyone know if that's true?

[steelerkeylargo]

Saw a post on another site that said Hilton's agent is Drew Rosenhaus. Anyone know if that's true?

That is correct

[RuthlessBurgher]

I mean...Even though I like Hilton, He is our 3rd or 4th corner...Maybe lower if we draft one high...How much does he think he's worth?...AV was/ is our starting LT

Hilton is our nickel corner. He covers the opponent's slot receiver. In today's NFL, we are in a nickel or dime package more often than we are in base defense, so he's a starter to me.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Saw a post on another site that said Hilton's agent is Drew Rosenhaus. Anyone know if that's true?

Quick...someone check what color Hilton's mustache is.

[steelerkeylargo]

Hilton is our nickel corner. He covers the opponent's slot receiver. In today's NFL, we are in a nickel or dime package more often than we are in base defense, so he's a starter to me.

Agreed, he certainly deserves more than $650k

[Rara]

I'm all for Hilton getting a new contract.

[Buzz]

It wasn't that long ago that we were cycling through players like crazy to try to find someone who was decent in slot coverage.

I'd rather not go back to those days right now.

[Steel Maniac]

Saw a post on another site that said Hilton's agent is Drew Rosenhaus. Anyone know if that's true?

Oh boy....

[RuthlessBurgher]

Alejandro Villanueva on Mike Hilton: Betting on yourself usually works

Posted by Josh Alper on June 16, 2019, 2:11 PM EDT

Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton said recently that he’s not planning to skip any of training camp, but he also hasn’t budged from his stance of looking for a contract beyond the $645,000 he’d be due to make if he signed his exclusive rights free agent tender from the team.

Players in that position rarely wind up landing new deals, but Hilton doesn’t have to look far to find one that did. Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva got a four-year, $24 million deal in 2017 when he refused to sign his ERFA tender. Villanueva continued to work out with the team and has spoken to Hilton about his situation this offseason.

The nature of those talks hasn’t been disclosed, but Villanueva said, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, that “betting on yourself, in this business, usually works.”

“You don’t want to have a guy in the locker room who’s not happy with his contract, especially when he has the backing of his teammates,” Villanueva said. “He’s been about it the right way. He’s shown up every single day, not making it a big deal. For that, he gets a lot of respect from all of us.”

Hilton is an ERFA because he was a practice squad player in 2016 and did not accrue a season toward free agency. He has played in 31 games over the last two seasons as the top slot corner in Pittsburgh.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/06/16/alejandro-villanueva-on-mike-hilton-betting-on-yourself-usually-works/

[RuthlessBurgher]

Mike Hilton said holdout “hasn’t even crossed my mind”

Posted by Charean Williams on June 13, 2019, 11:44 PM EDT

Mike Hilton is not under contract for 2019, having left his $645,000 exclusive-rights tender unsigned. That’s as far as his displeasure has gone.

The cornerback, the Steelers’ only player without a contract, showed up for all of the team’s offseason work. He promises to show up to training camp, too.

“That hasn’t even crossed my mind,” Hilton said of a holdout, via Joe Rutter of the Tribune-Review. “I’m here for the team. I’m going to be here and try to help the team win games.”

Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva used the same strategy in 2017, declining to sign his tender and getting a four-year, $24 million deal only hours after reporting to training camp. Hilton has discussed his contract situation with Villanueva.

“It worked out for [Villanueva] in the long run,” HIlton said. “We’ll see how it turns out in the next month or so. I’m doing all I can to be here and to show them I want to be here.”

Hilton, 25, became the starting slot cornerback in 2017 and has made three interceptions, 14 pass breakups, five sacks and 111 tackles in two seasons.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/06/13/mike-hilton-said-holdout-hasnt-even-crossed-my-mind/

[NorthCoast]

The Steelers at least have to respect Hilton's approach. I wonder if they are debating the value for a slot CB?

[Oh wow]

Always respect a player who bets on themselves.

He definitely plays well above his pay grade.

[Oviedo]

The Steelers at least have to respect Hilton's approach. I wonder if they are debating the value for a slot CB?

I think they are debating whether they have seen the best from Hilton and it won't get better. Both his INT and Sack totals went down from 2017 to 2018.

AV had the advantage of playing a premium position very well. Not sure Hilton has that same value.

[NorthCoast]

I think they are debating whether they have seen the best from Hilton and it won't get better. Both his INT and Sack totals went down from 2017 to 2018.

AV had the advantage of playing a premium position very well. Not sure Hilton has that same value.

Could be the debate. But as someone pointed out, the Steelers have seen what lesser players have done in that position and it's been painful to watch.