Steelers' Promising Star Isn't Distressed By Future Contract Situation

The Pittsburgh Steelers have entered an offseason of change under new head coach Mike McCarthy. With an offensive mind at the helm, the decades-long trend of a defensively focused leader is over. McCarthy has inherited a team that has a loaded core of young talent and some solid veterans who are looking to get over the hump. With the Black and Gold not registering a playoff win since the 2016 campaign, the goal is to finally turn that around in 2026. 

With that young talent, as of late, the Steelers brass has been making moves to lock some of the dynamic youth up for the future. Ahead of July's training camp, the team has extended outside linebacker Nick Herbig to a four-year, $100 million contract and ginormous tight end Darnell Washington to a four-year, $42 million deal. With two key members of the impressive 2023 draft class earning lucrative deals, Pittsburgh has some more vital extensions on the horizon. 

The front office has proven, already, that it is not afraid to pay its homegrown talent. Developing and retaining young players isn't something new for the Steelers, and while there's still plenty of work to do with some others from the aforementioned draft class, things are heading in the right direction. 

With these big deals, though, there are already questions as to what could happen to some of the other young players, like those from the 2024 draft class. However, guard Mason McCormick, who is one of those from the 2024 group who could get a big deal done after the coming season, isn't distracted by the big money being handed out to those around him. He spoke to the media after an Organized Team Activities (OTAs) practice. 

"I think it's awesome. We got a lot of good young guys on this team, and so you wanna see everybody eat. We're all focused on just playing ball and being the best we can be, and all the other stuff is not really for us to worry about," McCormick said. 

McCormick is going into his third season with Pittsburgh after being selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The guard has proven that he is a valuable piece to the young offensive line, and will be an important contract for the Steelers to work on in the future. 

McCormick took fans by storm with his quality of play after filling in for an injured starter in his rookie year. After starting at the spot for 14 games, it was clear that the team found a gem in the former South Dakota State Jackrabbit. In 2025, McCormick started all 17 games and was only called for one penalty, a false start, the entire season. With the Steelers wanting to get younger in the trenches, he's been a terrific addition and only cost the team a fourth-rounder. 

Steelers Don't Need To Only Worry About McCormick

McCormick wouldn't need to start on contract negotiations until the next offseason, but all the money being thrown around to some of his other teammates is noteworthy. 

While he hasn't seemed distracted, the front office has to be prepared to have their wallets open for the guard. Though McCormick isn't even the only lineman from his draft class who could be in for a huge paycheck. The first-round pick, Troy Fautanu, who has proven to be a key asset, will be looking for an extension, too, but the team has some more time because of a potential fifth-year option being picked up. 

Additionally, Zach Frazier could end up being paid like one of the top centers in the NFL. The Steelers brass will have to prepare accordingly, as these two players have proven to be huge parts of the team's trench rebuild. With tackles making a lot of money nowadays, Fauntanu could be in for a solid contract. The Black and Gold have proven that they can draft and develop, but it will cost them in the long run, but that's not always a bad thing. 

#SteelerNation