On Thursday the Steelers tendered contracts to three of their restricted free agents. The tenders are offered to restricted free agent players to secure the rights for the Steelers to match any contract offers made by other NFL teams. Among those who received contract tenders were offensive tackle Willie Colon, cornerback Anthony Madison and tight end Sean McHugh. Restricted free agents are players that have three accrued seasons in the NFL and have completed the terms of their current contracts. The Steelers will now have the right of first refusal and/or the rights to draft choice compensation if any of their restricted free agents who they have tendered were to sign with another NFL team. Two exclusive rights free agents, fullback Carey Davis and offensive tackle Jeremy Parquet, were also tendered contracts from the Steelers on Thursday. Exclusive rights free agent players are not allowed to negotiate with other NFL teams once they receive a qualifying offer. Players with fewer that three accrued NFL seasons whose contracts have ended become exclusive rights free agents.
