The Steelers Made History With This Massive Rookie's Contract, Landing Him In The NFL's Top 10

As the dust settled on another exiting draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves with a very favorable roster heading into the 2023 season. To help round out certain positions within the depth chart, they agreed to terms with seven undrafted free agent rookies in the days following the draft. As we begin to unpack the details surrounding this year’s undrafted class heading into camp, there is one massive headliner the Steelers seem to be attracted to. So much so, they set franchise history in signing him to come to Pittsburgh to begin his professional career.

The fullback position in Pittsburgh for 2023 has yet to be established. It is beginning to look like Derek Watt’s time with the Steelers is over, thus creating a bit of a void on the depth chart at that spot. The Steelers’ used their 208th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to select Connor Heyward, who is more of a utility player on offense. He has experience playing that traditional “halfback” position in college, but was used primarily as a tight end in his rookie year. The Steelers used their 80th overall selection in this year’s draft on another blocking-specialist tight end in Darnell Washington. While the tight end room may seem a little crammed in training camp, the Steelers are looking for a position battle at fullback between Heyward and the newly-signed undrafted rookie Monte Pottebaum.

“Monte the Mullet” Pottebaum headlines this year’s undrafted free agent rookie class for Pittsburgh, and for good reason. Pottebaum posted a weight of 246 pounds and stands at 6’1” making him a thick blocker at the line of scrimmage. He doesn’t possess any top-level breakaway speed, but his specialty is blocking and clearing run lanes for the ball-carrier. With that being said, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren should be very happy seeing Pottebaum joining them in camp. In turn, the Steelers made history in making Pottebaum’s wait worth his while and have major aspirations for how he can help Harris’ and Warren’s rushing efforts.

How The Steelers Made History In The Signing Of Monte Pottebaum

After the draft officially closed, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the Steelers included a signing bonus of $10,000 in Pottebaum’s contract. As more details emerge, we’ve learned the remaining numbers for Pottebaum. The contract comes to a three-year deal worth $2.57 million, with that $10,000 signing bonus being guaranteed. For the 2023 season, Pottebaum will earn a base salary of $750,000 and will carry a salary cap hit of $753,333. For the Steelers, this contract is historic. (editors note - undrafted free agents almost always get 3 year contracts with only their signing bonus guaranteed. Pottebaum is no different as he could be released and it would only cost the Steelers $10,000.)

The guaranteed signing bonus is the most guaranteed money the Steelers have paid for an undrafted free agent rookie fullback in franchise history. Looking at the 2023 undrafted rookie class in Pittsburgh, Pottebaum is the only player receiving guaranteed money. Last year, we saw a similar franchise milestone hit in the contract for Mataeo Durant at the running back position. Although he wouldn’t make the final 53-man roster, Durant was able to land a historic contract of his own. But, where Pottebaum’s contract is different than Durant’s is where it sits in relation to others across the league.

With Pottebaum’s contract being valued at a total of $2.57 million, that makes his contract the tenth-highest among active fullbacks in the entire NFL. For reference, the San Francsisco 49er’s Kyle Juszczyk is the highest-paid fullback in the league with his $27 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens’ Patrick Ricard sitting in second with his $11.25 million contract. One of the major storylines of the Steelers’ offense in 2022 was the fact that Watt made the most for the year while playing fullback. Although that is not the case this year with Pottebaum, the Steelers clearly see the need to lock down talent at the fullback position to reestablish their physical rushing attack.

Pottebaum was a fan-favorite at Iowa and grew up a Steelers fan. The fullback role isn’t one of the most glamorous or high-profile positions, but it remains a critical need in an offense who is looking to run the football. The Iowa offense has built a reputation of being that tough, gritty, run-first offenses in college football and Pottebaum was a big contributor to that for the last four years. To highlight the value he brings, when he missed the team’s final game in 2022 against Nebraska which resulted in a loss for the Hawkeyes, Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz shared his concerns about the offense without Pottebaum.

“It’s a little unsettling not to have Monte because he’s one of our best players on our football team, one of our best leaders,” Ferentz said. “Then Monte can do so many things, play in different positions, help us. It kind of limits what we have to do. We have to be smart about it.”

Watching Pottebaum’s film, it is hard not to froth at the mouth if you’re Head Coach Mike Tomlin. He’s a bulldozer of a blocker who can clear a rushing lane for Harris or Warren. He plays with a physical, tenacious style and blocks through the whistle on every play. He is able to get to the second level to be the first point of attack and doesn’t waver against bigger defenders. In short-yardage and goal line situations, Pottebaum is an effective ball carrier and can pick up those tough yards in key areas of games.

As the offseason workouts and camps progress, the battle for the final fullback position will get more and more interesting. With the tight end room entering camp with its own position battle, that will play into Pottebaum’s future in Pittsburgh. The selection of Washington resulted in questions surrounding the depth chart opposite of Pat Freiermuth as to who the blocking-specific tight end would be in 2023. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada explained his thoughts on the position and expects Heyward to operate more within a true fullback role in 2023. However, looking at the investment the Steelers’ front office has made in Pottebaum before camp kicks off later this month, that may leave one of the current tight ends on the outside of the final roster. This will be a very interesting position battle to watch as training camp approaches.

What do you think of the signing of Pottebaum? Who do you think will play fullback for the Steelers in 2023? Let us know in the comments below!

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