Steelers' Sean Davis changes agents, not positions, in crucial season | TribLIVE.com
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Steelers' Sean Davis changes agents, not positions, in crucial season

Joe Rutter
| Tuesday, June 4, 2019 2:20 p.m.
Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Steelers safety Sean Davis goes through drills during OTA works outs Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

For the first time since joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016, Sean Davis is beginning a second consecutive season at the same position.

The 25-year-old defensive back is at free safety, making his debut Tuesday at organized team activities after missing the first two weeks with a minor injury.

After opening his rookie season at slot cornerback and his second as a strong safety, Davis is looking for some positional stability in the Steelers secondary.

He’s also seeking some financial stability after making a significant off-the-field switch in the offseason.

Set to enter the final year of his rookie contract, Davis left MBK Sports Management Group and signed with super-agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents dozens of star NFL players, including former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown.

“I just needed a change,” Davis said after practice. “Drew is a top agent. He wants the best for me. It’s really more of a personal change. I felt like I needed something different going toward this year.”

Davis is one of two members of the 2016 draft class — nose tackle Javon Hargrave is the other — who could be in line for a contract extension before the Steelers open the season Sept. 8 in New England. Veteran cornerback Joe Haden also could get a new deal.

Such talks for the Steelers usually take place in training camp, and Davis said he is unaware of any negotiations between Rosenhaus and the Steelers.

“I’m not too worried about it,” Davis said. “I don’t really care. I love being here. I love to play here. I’m just worried about getting more picks and winning games.”

If Davis can improve on his 2018 performance — he had one of the Steelers’ franchise-low eight interceptions — he could set himself up for a nice payday after playing out his rookie contract.

Davis is aware of the free-agent contracts handed out in March. Landon Collins, who also is 25, set the bar at free safety with a six-year, $84 million deal from the Washington Redskins that included a $31 million signing bonus and $44.5 million in guarantees.

Another player of comparable age and service time, 26-year-old Adrian Amos, got a four-year, $36 million deal with $12 million guaranteed from the Green Bay Packers.

Davis, meanwhile, will make a little over $1 million in base salary in 2019 and will count $1.3 million against the cap.

“That puts a little more pressure on me to get the job done and to compete with them contracts, but like I said, it’s no pressure,” Davis said. “I’m not putting pressure on myself. No pressure on my team. I’m just trying to do the best I can.”

In his first season as a free safety, Davis led the Steelers with 80 tackles and had seven pass breakups. But he also was part of a secondary that created few turnovers and big plays in a 9-6-1 season. The Steelers, in fact, have three interceptions by their starting free safeties in the past three seasons combined.

“It was my first year in the post, so I was trying to get the hang of things,” Davis said. “Maybe I was more focused on being the last man back there than playing aggressively. Obviously, one interception isn’t enough for me.

“How many did we have? Eight? Eight is not enough for all of us. That’s definitely been a point of emphasis. I’m trying to get better, learn different angles, read quarterbacks better and perfect my craft. One interception is not acceptable. I have to get more this year.”

After practice Tuesday, Davis spent an extra half-hour on the field going over coverages with second-year strong safety Terrell Edmunds. Davis said it was the first time they had played together since Week 16 in New Orleans. (Davis missed Week 17 with a quadriceps injury.)

Davis sat out the first two weeks of OTAs with stiffness in his body.

“Nothing major,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t putting my body at harm. You don’t want to be at risk to anybody on the field.”

Davis is hoping to avoid any other type of setbacks that might jeopardize what could be the most important year of his NFL career.

“I think every year is a prove-it year for me, but it is the last year of my rookie contract, so that’s always in the back of my head,” he said. “Honestly, I try not to think too much about that. I try to let my play speak for itself, and when it’s time, it’s time.”


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