Robert Golden Re-Signs with Steelers: Latest Contract Details and Reaction

The Pittsburgh Steelers and safety Robert Golden agreed to a three-year, $5 million contract Monday, keeping the former undrafted free agent in the only NFL home he's known.

The Steelers announced the move on their official website, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported the financial terms. Golden, 25, made a career-high 40 tackles (30 solo) and had his first career interception in 2015.

Picked up by the Steelers following the 2012 draft, Golden has slowly worked himself into the team's secondary rotation. He spent nearly his entire first three seasons working on special teams, never recording more than 15 total tackles or starting a game.

The Steelers were able to offer more of a regular role following the retirement of Troy Polamalu, but Golden still spent most of 2015 as a backup. A midseason injury to starter Will Allen allowed him to receive the first three starts of his career, and it's possible he could be looking at an even bigger role in 2016.

Allen, 33, is an unrestricted free agent. Signed to a cheap one-year contract a year ago, he should command interest on the open market after setting a career high with 80 tackles last season. It's unlikely he draws much in terms of a long-term deal, but a team could look at him as a solid stopgap.

If Allen departs, Golden may wind up with an even bigger role. Paying less than $2 million per season for a starting safety is well below the league market, but the Steelers were able to survive with Allen filling the role last season. Their defensive brain trust has at least publicly backed Golden every chance it's had. 

“If I trusted anybody to be ready on this defense, it would be Robert,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said in October, per Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “He studies the game. He works at his craft. He’s a very smart football player, very good at playing above the neck. He doesn’t get out of position a lot. I’m very comfortable with him.”

At the very least, the Steelers will continue to have a key backup and elite special teamer on their roster. There isn't much of a losing scenario here at that price. 

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