On the day the Pittsburgh Steelers reported to training camp, Joe Haden said talks already had begun on a new contract that would keep the veteran cornerback with the team beyond the 2019 season.
Almost two weeks into camp and Haden said little has changed amid an ESPN report the two sides are “making progress” on a deal that will extend through the 2021 season.
“We’re talking,” Haden said Tuesday before practice at Saint Vincent. “I don’t know anything about getting closer yet. It is what it is. It’s going well. I’m very optimistic we’re going to get something done before the first game of the season.”
The Steelers cease contract negotiations when the regular season commences, and the first game this year is Sept. 8 at New England.
Haden, who is represented by super-agent Drew Rosenhaus, has a $10 million base salary this year, and his contract counts $11.9 million against the Steelers’ salary cap. The Steelers, after recently restructuring defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt’s contract, are $4.88 million under the cap, according to NFL players’ association figures.
Haden, who turned 30 in April, is entering his third season with the Steelers. He has made no secret he would like to finish his career with the team.
“I would like to play here as long as I can,” he said. “I love the organization, the coaches, my teammates. Everything has been going very, very well here. That’s definitely the plan.”
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