Golden re-signs with the Steelers

The Steelers have signed safety Robert Golden to a three-year contract.

Golden, who is entering his fifth season, will sign for $5 million according to Jason LaConfora of CBS, which is an average of $1.6 million per year. He made $1.54 million last year.

Golden is the Steelers’ special teams captain and proved to be a capable reserve last season, when he started three games at strong safety when starter Will Allen was injured. Late in the season the Steelers used Golden when they went to the dime defense.

The Steelers now have three safeties under contract – Golden, starting free safety Mike Mitchell and reserve Shamarko Thomas, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Allen, who will turn 34, is an unrestricted free agent.

The Steelers also have the option to try second-year cornerback Doran Grant at safety this spring and summer. Grant, the team’s fourth-round pick out of Ohio State last spring, struggled in his rookie season. He was cut at the end of training camp, signed to the practice squad and then elevated to the active roster late in the season. But he did not play. 

Grant has been a candidate to play safety from the day he was drafted and coach Mike Tomlin said it remained a possibility after the season.

Allen’s age is the main reason the Steelers will either sign a safety in free agency or draft one relatively early next month. Golden could be a stop-gap starter if need be, but his value lies in his ability to play special teams and fill in as a reserve. The contract he signed is representative of that.

Free agency begins Wednesday, but teams can lay the framework for a contract starting today in a 48-hour period that has been labeled legal tampering.