Steelers’ Mike Hilton has (slightly) more leverage this offseason as restricted free agent

Mike Hilton politely made it clear last season he wanted a multiyear contract. The Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback did not get one, but after another solid season, he finds himself in a similar spot.

Hilton again is not assured of getting a multiyear extension. However it plays out, Hilton said he will use that as fuel.

“I always play with a chip on my shoulder,” Hilton said last week. “Contract-wise, that will take care of itself. I have got to go out there and do what I do on the field, and I feel like I played well this year. Hopefully, things work out in my favor.”

Hilton is set to be a restricted free agent after serving as the Steelers’ nickel man the past three seasons. As an undrafted player who spent a year on practice squads, he earned the NFL minimum salary for each of them.

This time, the restricted free agency designation at least affords Hilton slight leverage. And, as a potential 2021 unrestricted free agent, Hilton is eligible, per Steelers organizational policy, for a multiyear extension.

Then again, there’s no guarantee the Steelers will do more than the minimum to keep Hilton around

“I would love to be here. I’ve said that before, and they know it,” Hilton said. “As far as fit, I feel like I am your definition of Pittsburgh Steeler. I am a grinder, nothing comes easy. So I would love to spend the rest of my career here, and I am hoping things work out.”

.@MikeHilton_31 looking like a centerfield out there... pic.twitter.com/hRmbBHPaqb

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 17, 2017

Hilton played a career-high 62.5% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps this season, according to footballoutsiders.com. In addition to his slot role, Hilton lined up more often as a safety this past season, adding to his value. He finished with 63 tackles (50 solo) with six tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, 1 1/2 quarterback sacks (6 1/2 in three seasons), an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Hilton was graded as the 18^th-best cornerback in the league for his coverage skills last season by Pro Football Focus, and he’s earned the respect of teammates.

“We love his mindset,” starting strong safety Terrell Edmunds said. “Just how he approaches the game and how he goes out there and makes plays.”

Steelers' 11 defenders who have played the most snaps this season, listed by draft round:
1st rd
1st rd
3rd rd
1st rd
1st rd
1st rd
1st rd
1st rd
1st rd
UNDRAFTED (Mike Hilton)
1st rdhttps://t.co/jNgqhO2yFA

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 20, 2019

Barring a long-term deal being made, the Steelers can offer a one-year contract tender of a little more than $2 million (exact value to be set by terms of the collective bargaining agreement) and reserve the right to match any offer Hilton would get as a restricted free agent.

If the Steelers want extra assurance Hilton will return in 2020 and believe he is worth a higher salary, they could tender him at slightly more than $3 million and attach a second-round pick to him as compensation should another team sign him to an offer sheet the Steelers decline to match.

“I want to be here,” Hilton said. “Let’s don’t hide that I would love to spend my whole career here. But I know the business part of things, and I know they’ve got some other guys to take care of, too. So I am going to focus on getting better in the offseason and let (the contract) take care of itself.”

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