Steelers duo could be catalysts for new NFL rookie contract structure
Although the offseason activities are over for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the contract negotiations are just heating up. Two valuable assets in Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton joined Pittsburgh as second-round picks this year, but they aren't even officially a part of the team. Both have yet to sign their rookie deals, potentially joining a […]
Although the offseason activities are over for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the contract negotiations are just heating up.
Two valuable assets in Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton joined Pittsburgh as second-round picks this year, but they aren't even officially a part of the team.
Both have yet to sign their rookie deals, potentially joining a movement that may reshape the future of the NFL for second-round selections:
When taking a look around the league, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see just how valuable second-round picks are, especially at the offensive skill positions of WR and RB.
Names like Derrick Henry, Breece Hall, Deebo Samuel, and A.J. Brown are just a few of the many day-two picks that are atop their position. So in order to be more fairly compensated from the jump, players, agents and the NFLPA (players association) are taking a stand:
As of today, 15 second-round picks remain unsigned. For reference, there are only 13 other players rounds 3-7 that haven't signed their rookie deal. A stark difference when you consider that the "meat" of the draft starts in round three, perhaps this is the dawn of a new day in the NFL.
Now, both Steelers second-round picks, Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton were active participants all offseason even as they remain unsigned, but that's largely because offseason programs have become glorified walkthroughs with minimal contact, little time on the field, and helmets only.
Teams are leery of not only injuries to their veterans but probably even more skittish on the potential of losing a player that has yet to even put pen to paper.
It should be noted that there have been absolutely zero rumblings out of Pittsburgh about a holdup on behalf of Porter Jr. or Benton, but that doesn't mean they aren't part of a bigger cause:
The CBA, as of 2011, limits the topics for negotiation in rookie contracts. The biggest sticking points are usually the amount of the guarantee at signing, the timing of the payment of any signing bonuses, and the language regarding the potential voiding of future guarantees. -Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
So perhaps Porter Jr. and Benton have already joined the fight, just doing so quietly and with their agent and NFLPA reps doing the dirty work as they focus on the start of the season.
Either way, it's a situation that bears monitoring, as a shifting of the tides may occur thanks in large part to the Steelers' rookie duo.
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