Steelers Saved Over $4 Million by Declining Terrell Edmunds’ Option

The Pittsburgh Steelers saved more than $4 million by declining the fifth-year option for strong safety Terrell Edmunds last year, after re-signing him to a one-year contract on Friday.

The Steelers could have decided to lock up Edmunds for the 2022 season under the fifth-year option clause in his rookie contract. That deal would have paid Edmunds a guaranteed $6.753 million for 2022. But they declined that choice last offseason.

Instead, the team let Edmunds hit free agency, and on Friday agreed to a one-year extension reportedly worth $2.5 million. That saved the Steelers $4.253 million against the 2022 salary cap and also let them avoid giving Edmunds a fully guaranteed contract.

The Steelers also pursued free agent safety Tyrann Mathieu, who remains unsigned, before agreeing to terms with Edmunds, and Edmunds reportedly had offers from multiple other teams.

So this outcome wasn’t necessarily destined when the Steelers turned down his option last year, but it seems to be a good move in hindsight.