Pittsburgh makes sure the impact safety stays in town — and on a rather team-friendly deal.
The Steelers re-signed an important contributor on defense Monday, with the team extending safety DeShon Elliott with a two-year, $12.5 million contract, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The deal includes $9.21 million guaranteed, and puts the safety in Pittsburgh through the 2027 season.
How would you grade the DeShon Elliott extension?
I’d give this extension an A+. That might seem like overly high praise, but the value here is fantastic given the level of play Elliott gave the Steelers last season.
Sure, he was a little role-specific, but near the line of scrimmage Elliott was a legitimate star. He recorded 108 combined tackles last year as a reliable and aggressive presence coming downhill.
His new contract reflects how good he was last year — more than doubling his former yearly pay — but even then, Elliott is only averaging $6.25 million a season as the NFL’s 30th highest-paid safety.
And don’t forget Elliott is 28 years old. He still has years of his prime left, and the Steelers are able to fill what would’ve been a big roster hole in the upcoming season by locking up their biggest 2026 free agent not named T.J. Watt.
The Steelers have bigger roster moves looming over 2025, whether it be Watt’s holdout or the team’s bet on Aaron Rodgers and a still-unanswered question at long-term quarterback.
But in this case, it’s near-impossible to complain about getting an impact starter on defense for well under $10 million a year.
What are your thoughts on the Elliott extension? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!