With all of the questions surronding the Steelers offensive line heading into the offseason, you can now pencil in Max Starks as one of the tackles through 2012.
He signed a 4-year deal today with the team and it appears Kevin Colbert has found one piece of the line he feels is worth keeping around for a few more years.
No financial terms were available, but the cap hit on this contract is probably less than the franchise tag money Starks was receiving last year.
Starks is now one of the more experienced and I’d argue consistent performers on the offensive line so I’m on board with keeping him around. He’s still young and hasn’t battled injuries as much as a guy like Marvel Smith and Starks always come through in a pinch for the Steelers.
UPDATE: ESPN has a source who says the deal has $10 million in guaranteed cash. ESPN’s James Walker also raises a good point that the extra $3 million or so that the Steelers saved here could allow them to lock up one of the upcoming free agents, which include guys like Heath Miller, Jeff Reed, Ryan Clark, Casey Hampton, and Brett Keisel. It’s safe to say every single one of those guys is a part of the “core” of the team and signing a guy like Miller to a long-term deal would be an extremely high priority for Colbert.
So this deal is a win on several fronts for the Stees. 1. Lock up a reliable, if not spectacular offensive tackle. 2. Free up much needed cap room. 3. Hopefully apply the money saved from the deal to signing another key component of the team.
