The Pittsburgh Steelers nailed their 2023 draft. All but one has proven to be a starter capable player in the NFL, some even more than that. But with that comes some difficult decisions on that Steelers 2023 draft class. They are all about to enter the final year of their rookie contracts, meaning Omar Khan has his work cut out for him this summer. Here’s a breakdown of the class, and where they stand in terms of contract extensions:
Round 1: Broderick Jones:
We start out with one of the most tricky of all the players eligible for contract extensions. The Steelers have the ability to exercise Jones’ fifth year option, therefore putting off a decision on him until 2027. The problem with that is it would guarantee Jones over nineteen million dollars for the 2027 season. That’s too much of a commitment to a player who has struggled nearly his entire career in Pittsburgh. Add in the unknown with the injury that Jones suffered at the end 0f 2025, and the fifth year option seems completely off the table.
The best course of action for the Steelers is to let Broderick Jones play out the 2026 season, and see what he looks like. If Jones has a really good year, Pittsburgh will be in a tough spot as he could demand a top of the market salary. Average starting left tackles are in the $20 to $25 million range per season for now, probably more for a free agent at his age. Broderick Jones is still only 24 years old. If he has a mediocre to bad season the Steelers will most likely be looking to upgrade the position. In other words, the Steelers streak of first round picks who do not get a second contract is very much in play after this season.
Round 2: Joey Porter Jr.:
This one is a pretty easy decision. There’s no way JPJ gets out of the summer without a contract extension. Porter is coming off his best season as a pro, and seems poised to enter the upper echelon of corners in the NFL. Of course with all that said, this means he becomes extremely expensive to sign. The top paid corners in the NFL are earning just over $30 million per season. Porter should fall short of that, but not by much. Look for him to sign a deal around $28 to $30 million in AAV this summer.
Round 2: Keeanu Benton:
On the surface you’d think this would be a fairly easy extension to work out. Benton has had limited success in the NFL, but there is enough there to be worthy of a second contract. Where this could get tricky is if new Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham finally moves Benton off the nose, to defensive end where he would be most impactful. There is a world where Keeanu Benton plays well enough at defensive end where he prices himself out of the Steelers range. Benton would be smart to hold off signing any extension, and try to get himself to free agency. This is a player the Steelers would possibly want to slightly overpay to lock him in before a potential breakout season.
Round 3: Darnell Washington:
I fully admit I have a different view of Darnell Washington than most of the fan base. There is no upside here, meaning Darnell Washington has maxed out what he can be as an NFL player. A plus blocking tight end with limited ability as a receiver. The top end of the tight end money comes in at just under $20 million per season. Washington should come in well below that. He should end up around the $10 million per season mark at most. If his agents demand any more than that and the Steelers should consider moving on.
Round 4: Nick Herbig:
Now we get into the most difficult of all the decisions Omar Khan will have to make for the Steelers 2023 draft class. Nick Herbig is an enigma when it comes to that his value might be on the open market. There are so many contributing factors to this. Let’s start with the player.
Herbig is undersized as an edge rusher. That will certainly limit how many teams that would consider him in free agency. Next is the lack of playing time so far in his career. He has certainly made the most of his limited reps, increasing his sack total in each of his first three seasons. Teams will at least try to hold his overall lack of raw numbers against him however. Nick Herbig has never had more than 7.5 sacks in his career. That’s through no fault of his own being stuck behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. Having said all that, there will certainly be smart teams who see through his obstacles and line up to pay Herbig should he hit free agency.
Now in terms of the Steelers, they have $55 to $60 million tied up in edge rusher contracts the next two seasons. How could they begin to justify adding another $25 plus million to that position? Odafe Oweh just signed a deal at $23 million per season with the Washington Commanders. Herbig’s representation could easily get more if that in free agency next year. Someone has to go at the edge position for the Steelers at the end of 2026. The question is who?
Round 7: Cory Trice:
This one is easy. Cory Trice will not get a second contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers unless he takes a minimum salary deal. It would be a minor miracle if he makes the 53 man roster this year, let alone getting a second contract from the team.
Round 7: Spencer Anderson:
This will be a lot different than most second contracts for seventh round picks. Spencer Anderson has positioned himself for a nice little pay day when his second contract gets signed. For starters, as of right now he is the starting left guard for your Pittsburgh Steelers. While no one expects that to hold, we can’t exactly rule it out either. If he does get the job, and even does a serviceable job at it, you’re looking at starting guard money. On the other hand, if Anderson just does what he does being a versatile backup offensive lineman, that will get him well above minimum contract money. This should be a relatively easy extension for the Omar Khan. If Spencer Anderson excels as a starter for whatever reason, things get much more complicated for the Steelers.