Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Joe Haden!
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden said one of his main focuses of the NFL offseason was working on his speed.
“My offseason work was more speed, not so much lifting weights, trying to get as buff; just trying to maintain my top-end speed,” Haden told Steelers media after practice on Monday.
In Saturday’s preseason game, Haden came flying across the field and nearly intercepted Detroit Lions quarterback Tim Boyle on a pass to wide receiver Breshad Perriman.
Don’t tell Haden, 32, that he’s lost a step, though.
“I’m probably about the same speed as five years ago, but 10 years ago, maybe not,” Haden said. That timeframe would put Haden in the brown and orange of Steelers’ heated rival Cleveland Browns.
When asked to counter, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said, “Hey, if he said it, I agree with him.”
Haden, who made it clear he wants to finish his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has only the 2021 season remaining on his current contract. If an extension doesn’t get done before September 12, Haden will likely hit the free-agent market in March.
