Joe Haden had hoped for a contract extension this summer. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that won’t happen. And so Haden will test the free agent market in the offseason. Schefter tweeted out the news moments ago.
Haden, 32, is entering the final year of his contract after signing a two-year extension in 2019. In August, he expressed a desire to finish out his career with the team.
“I would rather have a contract (for) more than this year because I want to end my career here,” he told The Athletic.
Despite agent Drew Rosenhaus reaching out to the team, an extension never happened. Now it’s a question of if the team will offer him another deal after the 2021 season. As Schefter’s tweet notes, the cap should increase next season, potentially over $200 million, which could help the odds of Haden securing one last contract.
Rosenhaus, clearly posturing a bit as any agent should do, says he expects Haden to have a strong market.
In four years with the Steelers, Haden’s started 56 games, picking off ten passes and making one Pro Bowl. Last season, he started 14 games and intercepted two passes.
Despite Rosenhaus’ comments, Haden will still likely to try to work out a new contract with the team this offseason. Whether or not the Steelers have interest will depend on the league-wide salary cap, Pittsburgh’s own cap situation, and Haden’s 2021 performance.
Update (1:18 PM): Haden tweeted out “#LastDance” supporting the idea this could be his final season in Pittsburgh.
