5:09pm: DeCastro’s deal includes a $16MM signing bonus, tweets CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora.
4:33pm: The Steelers and guard David DeCastro have agreed to a contract extension, reports Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link). It’s a five-year, $50MM deal, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN, meaning DeCastro will be under Steelers control through the 2021 campaign. DeCastro now joins the Raiders’ Kelechi Osemele and the Bears’ Kyle Long as the only guards in the league with pacts that average $10MM or more per season.
Before receiving his massive contract, DeCastro established himself as one of the core pieces of the Steelers’ offensive line during his first four NFL seasons. DeCastro, a first-round pick in 2012, has ranked among Pro Football Focus’ 20 best guards in each of the previous three years, during which he started all but one game. He’s also coming off a year in which he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections for the first time.
The ex-Stanford Cardinal is slated to be on the Steelers’ books this year for $8.07MM. That’s the cost of the fifth-year option that was included in the 24th overall pick’s rookie deal. His new accord will kick in next season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.