Steelers wisely sign Stephon Tuitt to 5-year extension
The Pittsburgh Steelers have locked up one of their best young defenders, agreeing to a five-year extension with Stephon Tuitt.
On the eve of the regular season opener, the Steelers made sure one of their best players will be with the team for several more regular season openers. The Steelers signed defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt to a five-year extension worth as much as $61 million, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
In his first three seasons, the former second round pick out of Notre Dame in the 2014 draft has recorded 109 combined tackles, 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. The Steelers believe he’s just scratching the surface and has locked him up for the rest of his prime years.
For Tuitt, he recognizes his place on this team and was sure to thank everyone in the organization for this opportunity.
“This is one of the best organizations to be a part of, especially for a guy like me,” Tuitt said, per the team’s website. “I [came in] as a young guy, super raw. I have some great coaches who have helped me and I have seen my game pick up, my confidence level rise, my leadership ability rise. Being a part of an organization like this, I can see why a lot of great players come from here, a lot of Hall of Fame players come from here.”
Tuitt will be counted on being a disruptive force on the edge of the Steelers three-man front and could be a year he contends for some Pro Bowl consideration if he’s able to take his game to the next level in 2017.
The potential is there for him, he just has to put it all together and turn that potential into production, and it all starts on Sunday. With several other key young defenders on the front seven, Pittsburgh is being touted as a team that could represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.