Steelers update inside linebacker's contract for 2022 season

The Pittsburgh Steelers have offered inside linebacker Robert Spillane a right of first refusal tender, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

“[The right of first refusal tender] means he’d be on the books for about $2.4M in [2022]. Steelers can match any offer, but they don’t get compensation if they decide not to match,” Pryor wrote. In other words, the Steelers will lose the $2.4M if he signs elsewhere. They will lose that much in cap space whether they match or not.

Spillane appeared in 13 games for Pittsburgh this past season, totaling 56 tackles (29 solo), all of which came on Dec. 19 or later. The former Western Michigan standout battled a knee injury throughout the season and was a key reserve for the Steelers, subbing in for Devin Bush and Joe Schobert when need be.

If another team were to sign Spillane, Marcus Allen and Ulysees Gilbert III would fight for his top reserve role. If not, Spillane will see the field as much, or even more than he did in 2021.

Chukwuma Okorafor’s new contract details

Steelers fans received some great news on Monday as one of their best offensive linemen was reportedly returning for another contract. Okorafor has a case for being the best offensive lineman on the field for Pittsburgh last year, and his expired rookie deal meant he would be entering unrestricted free agency this year. His new contract appears to be right on the market value for his position, but still within the Steelers’ cap space.

“Steelers are giving their right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor a three-year, $29.25 million deal, including $20.5 million in first two years,” stated ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.

A three-year deal for $30 million makes him one of the more expensive signings made by NFL teams on Monday, but not quite top money. The Atlanta Falcons signed veteran Jake Matthews to a three-year extension worth $55 million, while the Los Angeles Chargers gave Joseph Noteboom a three-year, $40 million extension.

The move allows the Steelers to shore up their offensive line heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, and prepare for incoming quarterback Mitch Trubisky to have less concern on the field as he learns a new system. Okorafor’s exploration of free agency gave him a chance to find a better potential offer, but ultimately both parties came to an agreement to keep him with the Steelers.

Okorafor was drafted out of Western Michigan by the Steelers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and has taken over the role of right tackle for the team over the last two seasons. Okorafor has started 33 games over the past two years, and has established himself as one of the best linemen on the team.