PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers and left tackle Alejandro Villanueva are open to a contract extension for the two-year starter. For now, though, he remains on the practice field without a deal, which is fairly unusual for a 28-year-old veteran not on a franchise tag.
Considering Villanueva's unique path to the NFL, perhaps it's fitting he's playing the process on his own terms, choosing not to sign his exclusive rights tender worth around $615,000. Villanueva did sign a waiver/participation agreement, which pays him the tendered amount if he's hurt in organized team activities.
Villanueva is a former Army ranger who served in Afghanistan.