In addition to re-signing outside linebacker Arthur Moats and releasing longtime defensive end Brett Keisel, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a number of minor moves on Monday.
First, they re-signed veteran tight end Matt Spaeth to a two-year contract. Spaeth, 31, would have become an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday.
The 6’7”, 270-pound native of St. Michael, Minnesota was originally drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played four years with the Steelers from 2007-2010 before leaving for two seasons with the Chicago Bears. He returned to the black and gold in 2013.
Last season, he dressed in 15 regular-season games for the Steelers, making three catches for 46 yards and one touchdown. The terms of his new contract were not released.
Additionally, the team made tender offers to all three of their restricted free agents: cornerback Antwon Blake, safety Robert Golden and fullback Will Johnson.
The tenders are for one-year at $1.542 million and give the Steelers the right to match any other offers the players would receive, but the Steelers would get no extra compensation if the players are signed by another team.
Blake, 24, was claimed off NFL waivers from Jacksonville in 2013. In the last two seasons, he has played 31 of 32 games for the Steelers, making 46 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Golden, 24, has been with the Steelers since 2012, when he was signed as an undrafted free agent. He was one of the team’s special teams captains in 2014. He played in all 16 games, making six tackles, and recovering a fumble for a touchdown.
Johnson, 25, played collegiately at West Virginia and was also signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played in all 16 games as the team’s only fullback in 2014, making six catches for 41 yards.
Nine Steelers – cornerbacks Brice McCain and Ike Taylor, defensive end Clifton Geathers, free safety Will Allen, outside linebackers James Harrison and Jason Worilds, running back Ben Tate, tight end Michael Palmer and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey – are still scheduled to become unrestricted free agents at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
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