With just days to the start of free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they have signed center Maurkice Pouncey to a new three-year contract. Pouncey’s contract was set to expire after the 2019 season but this keeps him with the club through 2021.
According to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter, Pouncey is set to becoming the highest-paid center in the league with an average of $11 million per year.
Pouncey has made seven Pro Bowls during his time in Pittsburgh and made five All-Pro teams. He is widely regarded as one of, if not the best center in the AFC for much of his career. Few franchises can boast of the level of talent at center the Steelers have had historically. Pouncey is firmly the third-best center in franchise history and has been a key factor in this offensive line being considered one of the best in the NFL.
This contract is timely in that it should coincide with the pending contract extension for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Pouncey and Roethlisberger have been one of the top tandems in the league for many years and this could be a sign of how much longer Big Ben is planning to play as well.
