While the deadline for teams to finalize their roster for the 2019 season was Saturday, extensions are still up in the air to get done throughout the week, leading up to the season opener. The Pittsburgh Steelers slid in a contract extension for cornerback Joe Haden on Sunday, giving him a new two-year deal. The contract is worth $22 million and does include a $16.8 million signing bonus for the veteran. Haden was entering this season with one year and $10 million left on his previous contract, but he is now locked in through the 2021 season.
Throughout the month of August, it was reported that both sides were working toward getting a deal done, but it took until the first day of September to do it. The team revealed that their only true deadline to get something done was before their September 8th season opener against the New England Patriots. Haden joined the team before the 2017 season and has led their defense since, including 63 tackles, one forced fumble, and two interceptions in 15 games a season ago. Sources say that defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is next in line to get paid by the Steelers.
Speaking of tackles getting paid, on the offensive side, the Chicago Bears gave left guard Cody Whitehair a big five-year contract extension on Sunday. Whitehair is making $52.5 million on this new deal, including $27.5 million in guaranteed money. It is the second-largest deal for a guard in NFL history, and he has earned every penny of it since getting drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has started every game since his rookie season, and has played three different positions in that time. He will extend his streak of playing in Thursday's season opener against the Green Bay Packers, despite suffering a minor finger injury during training camp.
Throughout the month of August, it was reported that both sides were working toward getting a deal done, but it took until the first day of September to do it. The team revealed that their only true deadline to get something done was before their September 8th season opener against the New England Patriots. Haden joined the team before the 2017 season and has led their defense since, including 63 tackles, one forced fumble, and two interceptions in 15 games a season ago. Sources say that defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is next in line to get paid by the Steelers.
Speaking of tackles getting paid, on the offensive side, the Chicago Bears gave left guard Cody Whitehair a big five-year contract extension on Sunday. Whitehair is making $52.5 million on this new deal, including $27.5 million in guaranteed money. It is the second-largest deal for a guard in NFL history, and he has earned every penny of it since getting drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has started every game since his rookie season, and has played three different positions in that time. He will extend his streak of playing in Thursday's season opener against the Green Bay Packers, despite suffering a minor finger injury during training camp.
