Steelers sign CB Allen to contract extension
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The Steelers and cornerback Cortez Allen played a game of beat the clock.
The Steelers have a long-standing policy that they don’t negotiate new contracts during the regular season.
Saturday night, they reached an agreement on a new deal with cornerback Cortez Allen on a 5-year contract extension worth $26 million, less than 24 hours before the team plays its regular season opener at Heinz Field today against Cleveland.
Allen, 25, is entering his second season as a starter for the Steelers. He appeared in 14 games in 2013, recording 51 tackles, two interceptions and 13 pass defenses.
Signing Allen, who was a fourth-round draft pick in 2011, was a priority for the Steelers heading into training camp this season. The Steelers had just two corners under contract for 2015, William Gay and B.W. Webb, who was claimed off waivers after being released by Dallas last week.
General manager Kevin Colbert listed Allen as one of four players the team wanted to reach extensions with before the season began. The others were offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert, placekicker Shaun Suisham and outside linebacker Jason Worilds.
All but Worilds, whom the team placed a transition tag on in the offseason, have now agreed to extensions.
Allen’s deal averages out to slightly less money than former starter Keenan Lewis, whom Allen replaced in the starting lineup, signed to join New Orleans as a free agent following the 2012 season. Lewis received $26.3 million over five seasons.