Joe Haden ‘Optimistic’ About a New Deal with Steelers

UNITY TWP, Pa. — Before the Steelers reported to training camp at St. Vincent College on Thursday, the team took care of a little paperwork.

Head coach Mike Tomlin was signed to a one-year contract extension and defensive back Mike Hilton signed his exclusive rights free agent tender to officially join the club for the 2019 season.

There are some other player that wouldn’t mind taking care of some paperwork this summer, too.

The Steelers now have nine regulars that are entering the final year of their contracts, with Hilton, who is still hoping for a long-term deal after signing his one-year tender, joined by Sean Davis, Bud Dupree, Matt Feiler, B.J. Finney, Xavier Grimble, Joe Haden, Javon Hargrave and Tyler Matakevich.

Haden, who is set to make $10m this season under the final year of the three-year contract he signed when he joined the Steelers after being released by the Cleveland Browns, was vocal on Thursday about wanting to be the next person to cash a check written on Art Rooney II’s accounts.

“You’re looking at him,” Haden said. “We’re working on it now. We’re trying to figure out what’s going on, but I’m leaving that in the hands of Drew and Kev. We’re communicating, so that’s a good thing.”

Drew and Kev are Haden’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, who Haden said have been in talks despite reports of little progress earlier this month.

The Steelers typically do not make contract negotiations during the season, so all parties have a little over a month to make things happen if they want to prevent Haden from becoming a free agent next spring.

“I’m trying not to worry about,” Haden said. “I’m optimistic. We’re working on it.”