Futures contracts have worked well for the Steelers

The signing of several players to futures contracts last week may signal the next overlooked contributor for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Each season, NFL franchises sign players to “futures” contracts. The name of the deal describes what it is: since teams are limited to 53-man rosters, the contracts are for the “future”, when the league year officially begins, and rosters are expanded to 90 players. Unlike regular contracts which take effect at that exact moment, futures contracts are executed at the later time when the NFL’s 2017 season opens for business.

Therefore, futures contract players are signed for next season.

Players whom are eligible for these contracts are those who are not on active rosters at the end of the regular season. That’s why you won’t hear of any big names, because any players under contract with teams, won’t have those deals expire until the start of the league year.

Practice squad players are typically the target of futures contracts, as the 10-man squads are dissolved at the end of regular season. Therefore, teams will try to retain their own practice squad players, or those from other teams, as well as street free agents who are not signed with a current club, and even Canadian Football League standouts.

The Steelers started this process as soon as they exited the playoffs. We’ll examine some of the new names in a future article, but want to discuss some of the success Pittsburgh has had in obtaining athletes for the “future”.

Alejandro Villanueva

Orignally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles for their 2014 training camp, “Big Al” was released as part of the teams’ final roster cuts.

It’s rumored that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin noticed Villanueva during a preseason game against the Eagles, and upon his release, the Steelers signed and stashed him on their practice squad. Following the 2014 season, he would be signed to a two-year futures contract.

Originally a defensive end, Alejandro spent the offseason bulking up, and was converted to tackle. After an injury forced starting left tackle Kelvin Beachum onto Injured Reserve, Villanueva assumed the role, and has kept it since. (With Beachum leaving via free agency.)

B.J. Finney

Initially signed after going undrafted, Finney had remained a part of the Steelers 2015 practice squad before signing a futures contract in January 2016.

Prior to that, the Steelers had also given Finney a raise in November 2015, signaling that another team may have tried to acquire the former Kansas State guard from their practice squad. Many saw the move as a sign that Finney would eventually crack the main roster, something he did, and did well in 2016, starting in place of the dependable Ramon Foster, and getting reps at center in relief of Maurkice Pouncey, when the center was injured for a game mid season, and also to rest the Pro Bowler in the final week of the regular season.

Finney was highly rated during his starts for Foster, and actually came away with the highest offensive grade for a Steelers from Pro Football Focus one week. Still a young hand, Finney may eventually work into a starting role somewhere down the road, but for now, adds quality depth on the offensive line.

Chris Hubbard

Still focusing on the offensive line, Chris Hubbard is yet another player the Steelers have stocked on the unit via a futures contract.

Hubbard initially participated on the Steelers practice squad in 2013, before being signed to a futures deal on the final day of the same year.

Brought in to be a backup guard, Hubbard was forced to transition into playing right tackle when starter Marcus Gilbert, and his backup, Ryan Harris, both went down during the season. Hubbard not only succeeded, but played better than anyone would’ve imagined, also earning high marks from PFF for his spot duty.

Jordan Dangerfield

Other than Ross Ventrone, Jordan Dangerfield may be the Steeler who has been released and resigned the most, in recent memory.

Battling to earn a roster spot, the safety was signed to a futures contract in 2014. Heading back and forth from the practice squad, Dangerfield finally made the 53-man roster in 2016, and also received high praises, and grades, for his spot starts early in the year. He adds more depth to a thin safety position, and as such, the Steelers have signed Dangerfield to a one-year deal for 2017.

Roosevelt Nix

Now a mainstay at fullback, few remember that Nix was slated to play linebacker. Originally with the Falcons, the Steelers signed Nix to a futures deal in 2015. He made four starts and appeared in fifteen games that season, while also becoming a special teams standout too.

Indispensable and versatile, Nix was again resigned to a one-year deal for 2017.


Suggested articles from our sponsors