Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed outside linebacker Nick Herbig to a four-year, $100 million contract ($42 million guaranteed). They also gave tight end Darnell Washington a $42 million deal over four years ($21 million guaranteed).
Not only that, but an extension for defensive lineman Keeanu Benton could be on the horizon. Estimates for such a contract have been elevated to the range of $16 million to $18 million. Also, cornerback Joey Porter is going into the final year of his contract.
That ticket could be the most expensive of all.
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X balked at the Steelers’ strategy.
“I can’t believe they didn’t tie up Porter first,” Madden said. “You have to consider the market for cornerbacks when you sign Porter Jr., but I think Herbig — with that deal — kicked up some in-house inflation as well. The figure I keep hearing for Porter is like $27 million, maybe a little north of that. Well, if I’m Porter or his agent, I’m thinking, ‘OK, you’re giving the backup edge guy $25 million. I’m only worth ($2 million) more than that? Nah, nah. Pony up a bit more.’”
Independent of Porter’s situation, Madden doesn’t like the Herbig contract.
“I think the Herbig extension is insanity by any definition of the word insanity,” Madden added. “Give a backup edge rusher $25 million per year? I know the guarantee is not particularly high, but $42 million guaranteed ain’t chump change either.”
Then there’s the prospect of signing Benton for a contract that could reach $16 million to $18 million, according to some speculation.
“For having done what? Potential to do what? He’s a jabroni. He’s mediocre at best,” Madden said.
According to Madden, the merits of each individual contract can be debated. But he has a bigger issue with the Steelers’ overall approach to roster construction as the team hunts for its first postseason win since the 2016 playoffs.
“They want to keep everybody. They’re the family that plays together, stays together, but doesn’t win enough together,” Madden said. “They set the bar low, and they do everything they can to make sure they keep reaching it.”
Also, during the podcast, Madden and I discuss the Pirates’ sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. We dive into a wild Stanley Cup Final between Vegas and Carolina. Plus, there is some analysis of the World Cup.