BAD NEWS: Steelers Starter ‘Out for Foreseeable Future’ & ‘Likely the Season’
Things have escalated from bad to worse for Pittsburgh Steelers starting safety DeShon Elliott, who was initially only ruled out for the Week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
On October 31, the Steelers announced that they would be transferring Elliott to the injured reserve, along with veteran defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale. This prompted an update from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, and it wasn’t good news.
“The Steelers placed S DeShon Elliott and DT Daniel Ekuale on Injured Reserve,” Rapoport informed. “Ekuale tore his ACL and Elliott (knee) is out for the foreseeable future, likely the season, as well.”
Pittsburgh has been very cryptic about Elliott’s knee injury, but it didn’t look good when it occurred, as the veteran was in visible pain. Now, it appears the Steelers’ worst fears might be a reality, as Elliott will be sidelined for at least four weeks and possibly much longer.
Steelers’ Week 9 Actions Hinted DeShon Elliott’s Injury Could Be Long-Term
They say actions speak louder than words, and although the Steelers kept the long-term prognosis of Elliott’s injury a secret this week, their actions hinted that he could be out a while.
The Steelers first signed a former starting safety in Darrick Forest, then agreed to a trade with the New England Patriots for ex-starter Kyle Dugger.
Between Forest and Dugger, head coach Mike Tomlin is likely hoping he can patch up the back end of his defense without Elliott. Of course, he also has free agent acquisition Juan Thornhill as a potentially important chess piece to work with.
“[Elliott is] a significant component of what we do, particularly relative to some of the things that Indy does well,” Tomlin told reporters this week. “He is a central figure in our secondary in terms of run defense, for example. He covers tight ends in passing circumstances, so certainly we have some adapting to do in terms of how we divide the labor up this week.”
Continuing: “But that’s always the case when you lose someone, particularly someone significant. It’s not a one-person job. It’s a multiple-person job. That’s the spirit in which we’re planning. There will be several people given an opportunity to meet the demands of what he does for us.”
Thornhill has appeared in all 7 of the Steelers’ games this season, but he’s only been credited with 1 start. That could change following the injury to Elliott.
Steelers Rule Out Several Players for Week 9 vs. Colts
The Steelers are down another safety in Week 9, as the team ruled out veteran Jabrill Peppers (quadriceps) on October 31, per team reporter Teresa Varley.
Wide receiver Scotty Miller (finger) will also miss this contest, along with Elliott and Peppers, and cornerback Cory Trice Jr. was ruled out as he works his way back from a “hamstring/knee” injury.
According to Varley and the Steelers, four players are officially questionable for Week 9, too. Those players are quarterback Will Howard (right hand), starting safety Chuck Clark (illness), linebacker Malik Harrison (knee), and linebacker Cole Holcomb (illness).
Clark will be a key name to watch, considering the aforementioned absences at safety. Without him, it might be Thornhill and a newcomer leading the snap count at the position.
Deeper Look Into Aidan Hutchinson's Contract Extension
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has made it clear — produce and you will be rewarded.
After handing out several extensions to members of his first draft class, Holmes made another blockbuster, long-term commitment to a member of his second in Aidan Hutchinson.
On Wednesday, Hutchinson signed a four-year contract extension that will keep him in Detroit through the 2030 season. He becomes the third member of his draft class to ink a new deal, joining safety Kerby Joseph (four years, $86 million) and wide receiver Jameson Williams (three years, $83 million).
All told, Holmes has now extended seven of his picks from his first two seasons to multi-year contracts.
Hutchinson’s contract reportedly comes with $180 million in new money and four years tacked on to a rookie deal that was set to expire after next season. NFL insider Albert Breer provided a look at the specifics of the money that Hutchinson will make over the duration of his contract.
He will make $15 million in a signing bonus, and have a total of $25 million tacked on to a combined $20 million that he was already set to make over this year and next.
The defender has $29.55 million guaranteed for injury in both 2027 and 2028, and $49.55 million in 2029, with $35.428 million of that guaranteed for injury. Hutchinson also has a significant amount vesting as fully guaranteed over the four years of the contract in March each year.
Hutchinson will have $19.55 million vest as fully guaranteed for 2027 in March of 2026 and $29.55 million vests as fully guaranteed for 2028 in March of 2027. Of his 2029 money, $29 million will vest as fully guaranteed in March of 2028 with $6.428 million vesting as fully guaranteed in March 2029.
Hutchinson is due $42 million in 2030, but that money is not currently guaranteed. That year, he also has a $2.75 million roster bonus.
His deal has four void years tacked on with option bonuses to help spread out the cap hit of his new deal.
Here is a full breakdown of Hutchinson’s contract year-by-year, beginning with next season, with details courtesy of OverTheCap.com.
2026
Base salary: $1,215,000
Guaranteed salary: $29,622,000
Prorated signing bonus: $3,000,000
Prorated option bonus: $5,681,400
Cap number: $10,146400
Regular roster bonus: $0
Per-game roster bonus: $0
Cap percentage: 3.1% (Based on OTC estimates)
Workout bonus: $250,000
2027
Base salary: $1,260,000
Guaranteed salary: $10,000,000
Prorated signing bonus: $3,000,000
Prorated option bonus: $11,339,400
Vesting money: $19.55 million vests as fully guaranteed in March 2026
Cap number: $16,049,400
Regular roster bonus: $0
Per-game roster bonus: $200,000
Cap percentage: 5.2% (Based on OTC estimates)
Workout bonus: $250,000
2028
Base salary: $1,305,000
Prorated signing bonus: $3,000,000
Prorated option bonus: $16,988,400
Vesting money: $29.55 million vests as fully guaranteed in March 2027.
Cap number: $21,743,400
Regular roster bonus: $0
Per-game roster bonus: $200,000
Cap percentage: 5.2% (Based on OTC estimates)
Workout bonus: $250,000
2029
Base salary: $29,550,000
Prorated signing bonus: $3,000,000
Prorated option bonus
Vesting money: $29 million vests as fully guaranteed in March 2028, $6.428 million vests as fully guaranteed in March 2029.
Cap number: $53,988,400
Regular roster bonus: $0
Per-game roster bonus: $200,000
Cap percentage: N/A
Workout bonus: $250,000
2030
Base salary: $22,000,000
Prorated signing bonus: $0
Prorated option bonus: $24,988,400
Cap number:
Regular roster bonus: $2,750,000
Per-game roster bonus: $200,000
Cap percentage: N/A
Workout bonus: $250,000
Void years breakdown
Hutchinson has an additional five void years tacked onto his contract, which is for the purpose of spreading out the overall total of his option bonuses. This also helps to mitigate the cap hit, which is quite hefy as part of the team backloading this deal.
Here is how the remainder of Hutchinson's option bonuses are spread out across five void years, from 2031 to 2035.
2031: $19,307,000
2032: $13,649,000
2033: $8,000,000
2034
2035: $0
It's worth noting that Hutchinson does not carry a cap hit in these void years except for the first, 2031, in which he has a $44,956,000 cap hit.
