Joe Haden Looking for Extension, Wants to Finish Career in Pittsburgh

Just like the majority of his teammates, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden is entering the final year of his contract.

Speaking with The Athletic earlier this week, Haden acknowledged that he is not signed beyond 2021 while also revealing he is looking for a contract extension that will allow him to retire a Steeler.

“Honestly, yes,” Haden said. “I would rather have a contract (for) more than this year because I want to end my career here. We will see what happens, but we want to get T.J. Watt signed first, obviously. He’s the main priority.”

The consummate team player, Haden fully understands that he is not the immediate candidate for an extension on Pittsburgh’s defense. Still, he recognizes that the league’s new television rights deal will cause the salary cap to balloon, in turn creating the space needed to lock him up.

“Man, T.J. is coming through the pike and then Minkah,” Haden said. “It is what it is, but hopefully, with the TV deal what it is, then hopefully, they will get signed and I will get signed, too.”

As eager as he is to get that next, and likely final, deal, Haden remains content to wait his turn.

“It is a real tight situation right now and we are trying to figure it out,” Haden said. “We have priority levels here so I have to see what happens with my boy T.J. first.”

Originally selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft by Cleveland, Haden was released and acquired by the Steelers ahead of the 2017 season.

The 32-year-old has since earned his third Pro Bowl nod, totaling ten interceptions and 48 passes defended.