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Steelers Ink New Deals With Several Promising 2025 Rookies

Originally posted on Steeler Nation | By Brogan Noey | Last updated May 9, 2025 5:25 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers added a ton of exciting names to their roster throughout the 2025 NFL Draft. Much of this rookie class has begun to sign their first NFL contracts as well. The process began on Friday when rookie minicamp kicked off, and players began signing ahead of their first practice in the black and gold. Occasionally, rookie negotiations can take a little bit longer, but Pittsburgh doesn't seem like it will have any of those issues ahead of the 2025 regular season.

Among the rookies that signed their contracts on Friday were Will Howard, Kaleb Johnson, Yahya Black, Jack Sawyer, Donte Kent, and Carson Bruener. That is six of Pittsburgh's seven picks, with the only player not signed yet being first-round pick, Derrick Harmon.

The Steelers continue to sign members of their rookie class. So far today, they’ve announced the following players are under contract (with more possible):
- Will Howard
- Jack Sawyer
- Donte Kent
- Carson Bruener
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) May 9, 2025

The team made the signings official on Friday, and insider Mike DeFabo began posting them. He later updated the list with the signings of Black and Johnson. The undrafted rookies have also already signed their deals, as they were free agents coming into the league.

Harmon not yet being signed should not be concerning for fans. First-round picks' contracts are typically more complex due to the higher signing bonus, higher annual salary, and the fact that the contracts are typically fully guaranteed. Harmon was also selected above one defensive tackle in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and his team will probably hold off on agreeing to any deal until they know the numbers behind the deal of Tyleik Williams of the Detroit Lions -- who was selected seven slots below Harmon.

The defensive tackle was also the fourth player drafted at his position in the first round, and his agent probably wants to see the numbers on the deals of the players who were drafted 5th, 13th, and 16th as well before agreeing to any deals. This way, he can get the most money possible for his client.

Steelers' Crop Of Rookies Enthusiastic To Be In Pittsburgh

Nearly every rookie Pittsburgh drafted in 2025 has already spoken out about how happy they are to be with the Steelers. Howard talked about how he was hoping to land in Pittsburgh while the draft was going on, and Johnson acknowledged how he couldn't be happier with the way things played out. Howard even spoke with the media about how he was begging to be selected by Pittsburgh, which makes sense considering all of the uncertainty at the quarterback position going into the 2025 season.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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