Steelers Face Multiple Tough Decisions On Contract Extensions

The Pittsburgh Steelers head into the 2024 offseason with a handful of key players on the last year of their contracts. Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth, Cameron Heyward, James Daniels and Elandon Roberts are all guys who have one year left with the Steelers. Each of them plays a vital role on this Steelers squad that is looking to make a postseason run for a change. The Steelers will have some tough decisions this offseason on who to extend and who to simply let finish their contract.

Steelers' insider Mark Kaboly said on oneBURGH's The Black and Gold Three Rivers Podcast with Ed Troup that come August the Steelers will have to make some decisions on guys like Daniels and Freiermuth, who are on their last years.

As a starting offensive guard for the Steelers, Daniels has only given up one sack in two seasons. Daniels is on a three year deal worth $26.5 million. With his last year coming up, the Steelers will have to consider extending Daniels as they have been attempting to improve their offensive line for multiple years. 

Daniels is one of the few bright spots this line has had recently, and letting him hit free agency next offseason wouldn't be smart. Daniels is only 26 years old and could be in the black and gold for the long run. 

Freiermuth is a young talent who has been a huge target for the Steelers for whoever is at quarterback. Freiermuth is a big play-maker, but had a down year in 2023 as he missed some time with a hamstring injury and was placed on the Injured Reserve. 

With his last year of his contract coming up, the tight end will be expecting a raise. It's hard to say whether they will extend Freiermuth or let him play out his last season. Freiermuth loves Pittsburgh so even if he hits free agency, it's hard to see him signing anywhere else.

Steelers Have Decision To Make About Diontae Johnson

Fellow pass-catcher Diontae Johnson is currently on a two-year deal worth over $36 million. Johnson has had his fair share of temper tantrums with the Steelers. From not getting enough targets, to poor quarterback play, Johnson has given the Steelers quite the headache. Although, after having zero touchdowns in 2022, Johnson's production in the end zone went up and scored five touchdowns in 2023. On the flip side, Johnson had a career low of targets and receptions. 

The reception production has gone down due to emerging star wide receiver George Pickens getting more involved, and also because of poor quarterback play. Pickens may soon steal Johnson's title as wide receiver one, which could ultimately decide if Johnson wants to stay in Pittsburgh or not. It's likely that the Steelers will not extend Johnson and will let him hit free agency in 2025. 

On the defensive side of the ball, the most notable Steelers that are on their last year are Heyward and Roberts. Heyward is obviously reaching an end to his career at some point, and that may be this season. Pittsburgh still may extend him to spread out his 2024 cap hit.

Pittsburgh will more than likely pass on extending Roberts in order to see how the inside linebacker performs in his second season in the black and gold. Roberts was a part of a three way tandem at the inside linebacker position for the Steelers and was the only of the three that played the whole season. Roberts finished the season with PFF grade of 72.5. While he was a vital part of their defense, one year won't be enough to earn an extension.