Home 2015 Off-Season Beachum Next in Line for Extension

Beachum Next in Line for Extension

by Carlos Azahar

Cameron Heyward recently worked out a 6 year, $59 million deal with the Steelers. That’s exciting news to hear as he will be cemented as a cornerstone for this defense for at least the aforementioned 6 years. Heyward was one of the players who were on the last year of their rookie contract, with the other person being Kelvin Beachum.

Now that Cam is out of the way, its time to focus on an extension for Beachum. He has serviced the team well, holding down a starting tackle spot for 33 straight games.

An important cog for the offensive line, he’s a part of the band of brothers that have steadily improved over the last couple seasons. They flashed potential as a group during the 2013 season, even when Maurkice Pouncey went down for the count in that season’s opener. Beachum emerged as a leader who held the line together.

2014 proved to be a crucial year as well, since being under the tutelage of O-line guru Mike Munchak provided pressure and new expectations for them. Those expectations were well founded since the sacks they allowed as a unit and individually were lowered.

Beachum gave up 6 sacks in 2014, not bad considering he’s pretty undersized for his position and having to go up against the likes of JJ Watt, Gerald McCoy, and Justin Houston. Those names strike fear into the hearts of many offensive linemen, but that certainly won’t stop Kelvin from trying his best.

As training camp and the regular season loom in the horizon, its safe to wonder when will Beachum get his due?

The Steelers usually work out these types of things during or right after training camp. Its definitely not a question of “if” he’ll get a deal done, its more of a “when” and “how much”?

So, how big of an extension will he get? Well, that’s a tough one.

The top guys at the tackle positions, Tyron Smith and Joe Thomas, earn an average of $12,200,000 and $11,500,000, respectively. Beachum won’t get anywhere near that type of money.

The right approach would be give him a little more than his teammate Marcus Gilbert, who signed a 6 year, $30 million contract back in August of 2014. I expect a little more moolah for Kelvin, mostly because he’s shown to be a more reliable and worthy player than Gilbert. (Different positions, I know.)

So, my projection for a Kelvin Beachum contract is 5 years, $32-$35 million. He’s showing flashes of being a great player and its important to lock him up now. If not, the Steelers will be in heap of trouble looking for someone to replace him.

Stats and info courtesy of Steelers.com, overthecap.com, and fox sports.com.

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1 comment

Ben Anderson July 19, 2015 - 8:33 pm

I don’t see it happening. I think the Steelers will make an offer or at least float a number out there, but it won’t be accepted. Even Sam Baker, the 18th highest paid LT in the NFL makes $6.875M per year average. Beachum’s agents think he’s a top 5 guy. That would put him in the neighborhood of $10M per year, which frankly he isn’t worth.

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