Less than 24 hours before they will open the 2014 season at home against Cleveland, the Steelers have announced a four-year contract extension for defensive back Cortez Allen. The deal was first reported by Adam Schefter and, according to Ian Rapaport, is worth around $26 million. He is now under team control for the next five years, through the 2018 season.
Allen was drafted by the team in the fourth round in the 2011 NFL Draft, making this his fourth season in black and gold. He will turn 26 in October. He played in 14 games last season, starting eight of them, all opposite veteran Ike Taylor. He has impressed management, surpassing William Gay and others on the depth chart over the past year and solidifying himself as the clear number two option at the cornerback position.
In a secondary with Taylor and safeties Mike Mitchell and Troy Polamalu, the Steelers have locked in a quality mix of youth and experience in defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau‘s pass defense. The Steelers will battle first-year starting QB Brian Hoyer and the Cleveland offense on Sunday at Heinz Field. Kickoff is at 1 pm.
