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Marcus Allen signs exclusive rights tender with Steelers

The safety-turned-linebacker returns to the Steelers for 2021

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Exclusive rights free agent Marcus Allen has signed his tender with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2021 season.

Allen was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft out of Penn State. Spending all but two games on the inactive list his rookie season, Allen did not make the team in 2019 and was signed to the Steelers practice squad. Elevated to the 53-man roster at the end of the season, Allen transitioned to the linebacker position during the 2020 offseason. The shift saw Allen appear in 14 games in 2020 while starting two. On the season, Allen had 30 tackles, two of which were for loss, and two quarterback hits.

For those wondering how exclusive rights tenders works, the player has no negotiating power and is strictly at the mercy of the team if they choose to retain them. The contract is for one season and is at the NFL league minimum salary.

Exclusive rights free agent J.C. Hassenauer previously signed his tender last week. The only remaining exclusive rights free agent for the Steelers for 2021 is linebacker Robert Spillane.

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