Steelers re-sign Gay, working with Foster
PITTSBURGH – The Steelers re-signed a pair of reserve players, Robert Golden and Darrius Heyward-Bey, on Monday, solidifying their depth.
On Tuesday, it was time to go to work on some starters.
The Steelers beat the clock on free agency, which begins at 4 p.m. today, by re-signing starting cornerback William Gay. According to Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports, Pittsburgh also is close to re-signing pending free agent left guard Ramon Foster.
Gay’s three-year deal is worth a reported $4.5 million and includes a $500,000 signing bonus.
A 2007 fifth-round draft pick, Gay, 31, became Pittsburgh’s nickel cornerback in 2008, helping the Steelers to a Super Bowl title. He left the Steelers as a free agent in 2012 but was released after one season. He signed a three-year deal to return to Pittsburgh.
Gay, who has appeared in 144 consecutive games – the most of any active NFL cornerback – has started 40 games and has six interceptions. He scored touchdowns on five consecutive interceptions, setting an NFL record.
A defensive captain last season, Gay was considered a priority re-signing by the Steelers, who ranked 30th in the NFL in pass defense.
The Steelers were to have three of their top four cornerbacks – Gay, Antwon Blake and Brandon Boykin – become unrestricted free agents at 4 p.m. Wednesday, and had only Ross Cockrell, Senquez Golson and Doran Grant under contract at the position before re-signing Gay.
Gay is active in the community and is a spokesperson for women’s groups against domestic violence. He lost his mother in a muder-suicide at a young age.
If the Steelers can re-sign Foster it would help bolster an offensive line that proved to be one of the best in the league last year despite playing a large portion of the season without center Maurkice Pouncey and left tackle Kelvin Beachum.
Foster, 30, signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee in 2009 and has appeared in 102 games, making 87 starts.
Foster signed a three-year deal with the Steelers in 2013 that paid him $5.5 million.
The Steelers also had initial talks with several of their other free agents in attempts to keep them from hitting the open market. They include fullback/tight end Will Johnson and nose tackle Steve McLendon. Both, however, are expected to become free agents.
The Steelers remain interested in re-signing Beachum, who missed 10 games with a torn ACL. Alejandro Villanueva started in his place.