It was 51 weeks ago, after the Pittsburgh Steelers had entered their break prior to training camp, that they signed Minkah Fitzpatrick to a contract extension that made him the highest-paid free safety in the NFL.
The signing was not unexpected because of Fitzpatrick’s value to the team. He was a two-time All-Pro — he would add a third award last season — and he was entering the final year of his contract.
What was surprising was the timing. The Steelers typically handle such negotiations during training camp or in the days leading into the regular season. In fact, outside linebacker T.J. Watt didn’t get his megadeal done until September in 2021, as did defensive tackle Cameron Heyward in 2020.
With outside linebacker Alex Highsmith awaiting a new contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal, the question is whether the Steelers will get negotiations out of the way this month like they did with Fitzpatrick a year ago or whether it will drag into the late summer.
Omar Khan, in his first month as Steelers general manager last year, acted quickly to get Fitzpatrick’s deal done. But he waited until training camp before signing kicker Chris Boswell and wide receiver Diontae Johnson to new deals.
Fitzpatrick’s advice to Highsmith, who had a team-high 14 1/2 sacks in 2022?
“I just say be patient,” Fitzpatrick said Wednesday after the team’s organized team activity workout. “Keep everything in-house, don’t overthink it but also get what you think you deserve.”
For Fitzpatrick, his reward was a contract that included $36 million guaranteed and averaged $18.4 million per season. It came after he conducted what has become known as a “hold-in.” He reported to the team’s voluntary offseason workouts and attended mandatory mini-camp, but he limited his on-field work to individual sessions and didn’t participate in team portions, thus avoiding most injury risks.
It was a tactic deployed by Watt the previous training camp. Because Fitzpatrick signed his contract in June, it never will be known if he planned to “hold-in” during training camp, too.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Fitzpatrick said about the timing of his contract. “I was trying to get out there on the field but also trying to get what I deserved.”
Highsmith has taken a different approach to offseason workouts. He has been a full participant in each session and hasn’t shied away from team drills.
“I’m here to work now,” Highsmith said last month. “I’m optimistic we’ll get something done.”
Salary-cap website spotrac.com projects Highsmith’s value is worth $13.9 million per season on a four-year deal.
Players such as Heyward who preceded Highsmith to the bargaining table while awaiting long-term extensions are curious to see whether the sides get a deal completed before training camp.
“We’ll see if it’s a habit,” Heyward said. “If they continue doing it, that’s great. It’s sweat off our backs so we don’t have to wait until training camp. T.J. and I have been through it the other way.
“You just have to be flexible, be open and honest and let your agent take care of you.”
Given the amount of money at stake, taking a patient approach can be difficult.
“That’s an understatement,” Heyward said. “Everybody wants him here. You’re looking for things to align. It takes two to tango. It’s hard to keep things just business as (usual), but that’s what we are in right now.”
Because Watt and Highsmith play the same position, they have plenty to discuss about their roles in the defense. As for off-the-field matters such as Highsmith’s potential contract extension, Watt said two weeks ago that he gladly will be a sounding board for his teammate.
“I’m not giving advice unless asked,” he said. “Everybody handles those situations different. Every situation truly is different. If he has any questions, I’ll be more than happy to offer my advice, but until that happens, I’m going to stay out of it.”
For his part, Heyward is happy to see Highsmith on the field running plays with the first-team defense.
“You have to be professional about it, and Alex is doing that, not letting it affect his craft,” Heyward said. “You can be straightforward as you want. That’s your prerogative. Alex is handling it the right way. I would just suggest keep doing what you’re doing, whether it’s on or off the field.”
