Steelers Now
UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed two of their defensive players to contract extensions late this offseason, inking deals with safety DeShon Elliott and outside linebacker T.J. Watt before reporting to training camp on Wednesday.
But it doesn’t sound like more business is in the cards for Steelers general manager Omar Khan. Speaking at St. Vincent College on Wednesday, Khan said the team has no active talks with current players ongoing with regards to contract extensions, and while he didn’t completely rule it out, it didn’t sound like a priority at this point for the fourth-year general manger.
“In terms of extensions, there’s nothing going on right now,” Khan said. “Could there be a player maybe that we think about? Sure. That option is still available.”
The Steelers don’t have a great number of starters playing on expiring contracts, but they do have a few players who could be seen as contract extension candidates.
Wide receiver Calvin Austin III is entering the final season of his rookie contract and left guard Isaac Seumalo is in the last year of his free-agent deal. Running back Jaylen Warren was re-signed to a one-year contract as a restricted free agent and outside cornerback Darius Slay was brought in from the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is also on a one-year deal, but he has announced his intention to retire after the 2025 season. At 34, Slay could very well be joining him, and with the team acquiring Jalen Ramsey in a trade since his signing, they probably won’t need another veteran outside cornerback in 2026. Seumalo will be 32 this season and told Steelers Now he hasn’t contemplated his future beyond 2025.
If the team wanted to do a long-term contract with Warren, they probably would have done so this spring instead of having him sign his RFA tender.
The most notable name in the group not being extended (or at least not currently being talked about) is Austin, who appears to be in line to be the team’s No. 2 wide receiver this season.
“I saw the growth of Calvin Austin last year,” Khan said. “That was great to see.”
Austin missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury in 2022. The following season, he had just 17 catches for 180 yards, but last year, broke out for 36 catches and 548 yards. He appears to be poised to be the team’s second receiver in terms of target share, and with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith promising more passing in the offense with Aaron Rodgers under center, it’s easy to envision Austin’s production increasing again this coming season.
That might make him more expensive if Khan decides to wait until next offseason for a new deal with the speedy receiver.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Khan: Steelers Aren’t Working on New Contract for Calvin Austin III
