According to ESPN.com, the Pittsburgh Steelers issued their restricted tenders on Saturday.
Running back Jonathan Dwyer, running back Isaac Redman, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and nose tackle Steve McLendon all received $1.323 million tenders.
Dwyer and Sanders were issued original round tenders. That means the Steelers would receive compensation of a draft pick that corresponds with the round that each was originally drafted should either wind up signing with another team. Dwyer was a sixth round selection, while Sanders was a third round pick. The steelers also have the right to match any offer that either might receive.
McLendon and Redman were both issued right of first refusal tenders being as both originally signed as undrafted free agents. Should either sign an offer sheet with another team then the Steelers would have the right to match it. If they chose not to, they would not receive anything in return as compensation.
Linebacker Stevenson Sylvester and punter Jeremy Kapinos were not issued restricted tenders and both will become free agents on Tuesday as a result.
Sylvester was the only one that I would consider a surprise due to the lack of depth the Steelers have at the inside linebacker position. The Steelers might be gambling that their former fifth round draft pick will not receive interest from other teams and thus could be re-signed at a much lower price.
While not yet reported, it is believed that both the exclusive free agents, running back Baron Batch and cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke, have both received their minimum salary exclusive rights tenders which they must sign.
