From 2010 to 2012, it was an easy decision to extend expiring rookie deals. Maurkice Pouncey, Cameron Heyward, and David DeCastro were all clearly deserving of rich, new deals and they have been staples to the team ever since. However, the Steelers have had some bad luck recently when it comes to giving players second contracts.
Jarvis Jones and Artie Burns certainly weren’t worth giving deals to, and Ryan Shazier – a player they would have loved to keep around forever – suffered a life-altering spinal injury before his second contract. Meanwhile, the Steelers have a difficult decisions to make with Bud Dupree, and he has been talked about as one of the riskiest players to give a contract to, according to Pro Football Focus.