Steelers, Maurkice Pouncey agree to five-year extension
By Josh Sanchez
The Pittsburgh Steelers and star center Maurkice Pouncey have agreed to a new five-year contract extension, despite Pouncey coming off of a torn ACL.
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The deal makes Pouncey the highest paid center in the league.
Pro Football Talk was first to report the extension which pays the center $13 million in guaranteed money. Yes, that is more than San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick received in his mega-deal not too long ago.
The five-year extension for Pouncey will pay him just north of $44 million.
Combined with the one-year that is remaining on his rookie contract, Pouncey will receive $48 million over the next six years.
Pro Football Talk provides more on the breakdown of Pouncey’s new deal:
"Thanks to non-guaranteed roster bonuses payable on the third day of the 2015 and 2016 league years, Pouncey will pocket $17.75 million by March of next year. He’ll have $23 million earned by March of 2016, and $26.5 million through the first three years."
Having an elite offensive lineman is not something the Steelers are used to in recent years, so it is easy to understand why the team was quick to lock Pouncey up to a long-term deal.
The only question is whether or not Pouncey will be able to remain healthy enough to play out his full contract and give the Steelers a quality return on their investment.