The Pittsburgh Steelers top priority this off-season was to lock up All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The star safety has one-year left on his contract and would become a free agent next season if a deal couldn't be worked out.
According to NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala who joined the PM Team on 93.7 the Fan Pittsburgh this afternoon, the Steelers are closing in on a long term deal for Fitzpatrick.
CLICK HERE TO READ STEELERS STILL IN ON TYRANN MATHIEU
If a deal is signed soon, that would be out of the norm for the Steelers when they hand out big time extensions. The negotiations usually go down to the wire for these types of things. Last year, the Steelers almost didn't have TJ Watt for the opening game of the season due to his contract situation. Watt of course signed a few days before the game in Buffalo and didn't miss any time.
"And I'm still told that that deal is very very close to be getting done. So be on alert for that," Kinkhabwala told Andrew Fillipponi on 93.7 the Fan today.
Fillipponi fired back and asked her if the contract would make Fitzpatrick the highest paid safety in the NFL?
"Yes I expect that. I do expect that," she continued.
One of the main reasons the Steelers weren't expected to make a move for Pro Bowler Tyrann Mathieu was because the Steelers were getting ready to pay huge money for Fitzpatrick. It was believed the Steelers wouldn't be able to meet Mathieu's contract demands, and still pay Fitzpatrick his worth. Basically they weren't going to out bid themselves for Fitzpatrick by over paying for a 30 year old safety.
That's where apparently there's been some movement on the Mathieu front. Kinkhabwala has been told that the asking price for Mathieu isn't as steep as it was initially believed, and that the Mike Tomlin effect could be in full force with Mathieu. According to Mathieu, Tomlin put a call in to him sometime this off-season, and Mathieu loves the thought of playing for Tomlin.
Steelers offer to Fitzpatrick
If the Steelers are going to make Fitzpatrick the highest paid safety in the NFL, they're going to have to beat $17.5 million per season. The highest paid safety in the NFL is the Seattle Seahawks' Jamal Adams, who makes $17.5 million in average annual salary. The Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith, at $16 million per season, is second. The Denver Broncos' Justin Simmons, who makes $15.25 million per season, is third.
A five-year $90 million dollar deal would make Fitzpatrick the highest paid safety, and one of the highest paid defensive players in the NFL. This would just add more expense to the leagues highest paid defense in the NFL.
Stay tuned for more updates as more information rolls in on a potential contract for Fitzpatrick.
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