Though Mike Hilton is an exclusive rights free agent, tendered by the team prior to the offseason, he’s angling for a long-term deal. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, he may take a similar plan as Alejandro Villanueva. Still attending workouts as good faith to reaching a bigger payday.
Contract situation to watch in Pittsburgh: After two productive years, slot corner Mike Hilton plans to wait to sign his ERFA tender while exploring a new deal, per source. One of team's best tacklers won't miss offseason work, though. Similar approach to Al Villanueva in '17
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 20, 2019
As a ERFA, other teams can’t come in and compete with the Steelers tender.