Pittsburgh Steelers: Time running out for players in contract years

The Steelers generally do not negotiate contracts during the regular season, so time has almost run out for the organization to reach an agreement with tackle Kelvin Beachum and guard Ramon Foster. Beachum was mum on potential negotiations (or lack there of), with Beachum referring questions to Kevin Colbert, according to Mark Kaboly. Also according to Kaboly, Foster did not have much to say: "I know they were going back and forth and can't decide anything. I don't know what it is going to be. It would be great, but you never know what the upper management is thinking."

Beachum was a seventh-round draft pick in 2013, while Foster signed a contract in 2012 which is set to expire soon, sending him into free agency. Beachum and Foster bring reliable experience to the offensive line. Mike Adams is sidelined with injury, and even without injury his level of play was underwhelming. Doug Legursky is back on the team behind Foster and Chris Hubbard, while Alejandro Villanueva, relatively new to the NFL, is Beachum's backup.

In 2011, Troy Polamalu signed a 12th-hour deal with the Steelers at the airport before flying to Baltimore for that year's season opener. This year it appears Beachum and several other key players will play this season without knowing their long-term fate with the organization.

Also in contract years are Antwon Blake, William Gay, and Will Johnson. ILB Lawrence Timmons recently restructured his contract to free up over $3M in salary cap space.