The Pittsburgh Steelers are now in the waiting days between mandatory minicamp and training camp. The expectation is that the front office will use this time to get some deals done, including extending star pass rusher and All-Pro, TJ Watt. Of course, there are other players looking for new deals, and maybe some trade negotiations going on behind the scenes. Watt seems to be priority number one, however. That doesn't mean his deal will get done first though, as recent news proves otherwise.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac recently reported that DeShon Elliott has received a new three-year, $15.5 million deal.
Elliott quickly became a fan favorite after his first season with the Steelers. He recorded 108 tackles, six passes defended, and three fumble recoveries in 2024. He had one year left on his deal, and the front office clearly saw no reason to risk losing him in free agency. The new star safety in Pittsburgh is now locked into the team through the 2027 season.
The interesting thing about this extension is the guaranteed money. Out of $12.5 million, more than three-quarters of it is guaranteed. The Steelers usually don't do guarantees past the first year of a deal, especially for a player this cheap, but they went ahead and got it done for Elliott to make sure he stays in the Black and Gold.
This deal was an absolute steal for the Steelers. $6.25 million per year for two years for a key contributor like Elliott is a bargain. Maybe the percentage of that money being guaranteed swayed him to sign the contract, but that is such a good deal for Pittsburgh, fans in the Steel City should be enthusiastic. The team keeps a major piece of the defense around for the long-term future in his prime, while still having enough money to pay for other players at key positions during that timeframe.
Is The Steelers' Latest Deal A New Trend For The Team?
If the Steelers can get deals like this done regularly, they could keep loading up on amazing talent all over the place. Some players are willing to sacrifice total money to get more guaranteed money, and that could be a compromise that the league could quickly catch on with. It may not work with Watt, but other key contributors could take deals like this.
