Since the Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke a few weeks ago, several have asked me how long his contract was for and the total amount of the deal. A source has informed me today that it was one-year deal worth $465,000 and that it did not include a signing bonus.
Assuming that Van Dyke last the entire season on the 53 man roster, he should be an exclusive free agent after the end of the year and thus easily retained with an exclusive rights free agent tender offer of $555,000 that he must accept if he wants to play in the NFL next season.
The Oakland Raiders former third round pick has a been a big contributor on special teams through the first two games of the season and is considered a project cornerback moving forward by the coaching staff. With Keenan Lewis scheduled to an unrestricted free agent after the 2012 season, the Steelers would still have three young cornerbacks under contract next season, along with veteran Ike Taylor, should Lewis wind up signing elsewhere.
