Entering 11th year, Ramon Foster happy to still be with Steelers

Chris Adamski
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 2:45 p.m. | Tuesday, May 21, 2019 2:45 p.m.

Steelers offensive guard blocks Ramon Foster opens a hole as running back James Conner runs for a first down against Browns in the third Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018 at Heinz Field.

By definition as an undrafted free agent in 2009, the odds were against Ramon Foster even making the Pittsburgh Steelers as a rookie.

In 2013, few expected him to earn a multi-year deal with the team once he hit unrestricted free agency.

It was even more surprising to most when after that particular three-year deal expired that Foster would remain in black-and-gold – yet he did again.

And Foster himself dropped a Lloyd Christmas “So you’re sayin’ there’s a chance” toward the end of last season in regards to whether he would get yet another extension to stay with the Steelers.

#BREAKING: #Steelers sign offensive linemen Pouncey, Foster to contracts@tribjoerutter https://t.co/iM2pMYLt7b

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) March 7, 2019

So when that came to fruition in the form of a two-year, $8.25 million contract in March, Foster became the rare player who earned a fourth contract with the Steelers. Outside of Ben Roethlisberger, the list of players who achieved that in the post-1993 NFL free-agency era is short – and it’s certainly an exclusive company Foster joined as being an undrafted free agent.

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“I knew I had a shot,” Foster said, referring to his mindset while entering the offseason about earning a new contract.

“(Foster and the organization) talked about (a new contract). It’s always that conversation. I know I didn’t play bad (in 2018) – so to say, ‘no,’ I probably wouldn’t have guessed that. But it’s a good feeling to be here.”

During Tuesday’s first organized team activity session of 2019, Foster was in his familiar left guard spot he’s held down now for the Steelers for 6 ½ years.

“It’s exciting to actually be back out on the field today,” Foster said.

His 11^th NFL season is only about 3 ½ months away.

“It’s getting closer and closer.”

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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.