The Steelers must give CB Joe Haden a contract extension

Of all the upcoming 2020 free agents the Pittsburgh Steelers have, none are more important to the recent future of the team than cornerback Joe Haden. Since coming over from the Cleveland Browns in 2017, Haden has been a leader on the defense and one of the team’s best players and best people.

But according to ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, the team hasn’t started up talks about an extension even though Haden has made it clear he wants to retire a Steeler.

Joe Haden, 30, has one more year on his deal and wants to retire a Steeler. No talks yet about an extension but Haden is ready for them.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 12, 2019

This might seems like a panic situation but if you pay attention to how the Steelers do business, you understand this isn’t a worry. Pittsburgh likes to use training camp and the preseason as their times to work out extensions for veterans. There won’t be any contract done once the season starts but that’s ok.

Haden is a must sign for Pittsburgh regardless of when it happens. The Steelers added Steven Nelson as a free agent to start opposite Haden but there isn’t another guy on the roster I can see is ready to step into Haden’s role in 2020.