The Pittsburgh Steelers have a few players entering the last year on their current deals and it appears that offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert is next on their wish list.
According to sources, the team is close to inking Gilbert to a contract extension. All reports suggest a deal could be finalized sometime this week.
Gilbert’s play has been a bit up and down throughout his career after being forced into the starting lineup early on in the 2011 season. After missing 12 games in 2012 due to an injury, Gilbert rebounded and started every game last season.
So far this camp, Gilbert’s play has been very encouraging as he has started to look like a solid all-around offensive tackle.
Throw in the fact that overall the Steelers are pretty thin at the tackle position, especially with the uncertain play of Mike Adams and it makes a lot of sense to lock up Gilbert now before he can become a free agent at the end of the season.
The Steelers previously inked kicker Shaun Suisham and center Maurkice Pouncey to contract extensions and still have cornerback Cortez Allen to hopefully lock up before the end of training camp since it has long been team policy to not negotiate during the season.
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