Steelers' Payton Wilson Has Critical Path To Getting Paid

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 offseason saw the franchise make headlines time and time again. However, despite the acquisitions the team made to help try to improve the 2026 roster, they also made waves with some internal business. One of the most notable transactions made was the extension given to edge rusher Nick Herbig. He was the 132nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and just received a huge payday. Tight end Darnell Washington, who was also in that draft class, received a four-year, $42 million extension as well. 

General Manager Omar Khan and the front office may also extend cornerback Joey Porter Jr., especially given his breakout 2025 season where he was able to limit penalties and find a way to be a top shutdown cornerback in the NFL. Should that extension happen, that would be the third player from that 2023 draft class given an extension by the front office.

Team insider Mark Kaboly recently spoke on an episode of Steelers Collective and mentioned that the 2024 draft class may not receive the same kind of love. Despite saying that, he was high on linebacker Payton Wilson and gave the blueprint for him as to what could lead to him receiving an extension by the franchise sooner rather than later. While he does not have as much faith in guys from the 2024 class overall compared to 2023, the North Carolina State linebacker could earn his way to one. 

“I think that’s a huge longshot of [Patrick Queen] coming back,” Kaboly said. “I think [Payton Wilson] becomes a little bit more valuable. He just has to be more consistent. I think he has all the talent in the world. If he was able to be consistent with what we saw in training camp last year -- that was eye-opening -- but when we got into the season, he looked good, but inconsistent.” 

While it does play into Wilson's favor that it is a longshot of seeing a return from Patrick Queen in the Steel City come 2027, he also has the chance to play himself into an extension. He had his best NFL season in 2025, albeit just his second in the league. He had 126 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, as well as one interception and one fumble recovery. He truly came into form in the middle of the defense at the inside linebacker position.

Steelers May Show Loyalty To Wilson On One Condition

While Wilson did seem to show as a solid fit in the 2025 season, Kaboly still seems to think there is some work to be done. Given his 2024 season (which was not bad), 2025 was a far better sophomore season for the former Wolfpack linebacker. If Wilson can show the consistency that Kaboly eluded to, it appears as if the ceiling he has in terms of his potential can show the organization that he deserves a payday.

At the position he plays, he will not command the kind of money that Herbig saw in his massive extension with the team this offseason. He was a huge force on the field in 2025 and with another NFL season under his belt, it could propel him to new heights in 2026, especially with a fresh face in the building as the new defensive coordinator in Patrick Graham. He showed great leadership in the same position working for the Las Vegas Raiders and has far more talent to work with here in the Steel City.

This is also not the first time an extension has been discussed for him on the show, as Ray Fittipaldo also recently mentioned it for the third-year veteran. While he may not command the same kind of money as his teammate, Khan does not seem to favor the 2024 class as heavily as they have the 2023 class. However, Wilson appears to have a golden opportunity in front of himself now as this is not the first time he has been mentioned as a candidate for an extension.