According to Pittsburgh Steelers Communications Coordinator Burt Lauten, the contract signed by punter Zoltan Mesko is for one year.
Mesko will earn $630,000 in 2013 and will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
The Steelers will take a wait and see approach with the former New England Patriots punter. Should he perform well this season, the team can slap either a franchise or transition tag on Mesko next offseason and then work out a long-term deal prior to start of the 2014 season. This past offseason, the franchise tag for punters was $2.977 million.
The Steelers can only use the franchise or transition tag on one player, so unless they use it next offseason on either defensive end Ziggy Hood or wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, should neither receive an extension between now and Sunday, Mesko would figure to be a prime candidate for it.
