PITTSBURGH (TNS) – The Steelers struck another deal with one of their impending free agents. One day after signing safety Robert Golden and receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, the Steelers have come to terms with veteran cornerback William Gay.
Gay posted a message on his Instagram account late this morning with the following message: “Back like I never left.. Thank you GOD for your blessing on me. Momma lets put the steeler jersey back on 22 and finish what we started.”
Gay’s new deal is for three years. He just played out a three-year contract that paid him $1.6 million per season and was set to hit free agency, which begins today.
Gay, who turned 31 in January, has never missed a game in his previous nine seasons. He played for the Steelers from 2007-11 and again from 2013-15 after spending one season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2012.
Gay, the team’s fifth-round draft choice in 2007, has 92 career starts, including 16 last season. He has five career interception returns for touchdowns, including against Cincinnati last season.
The Steelers now have two of their top four cornerbacks from last season under contract. They previously signed Ross Cockrell to a new deal. Antwon Blake, who started all 16 games opposite Gay last season, is an unrestricted free agent, as is Brandon Boykin, who ascended to be the team’s nickel corner late in the season.
The Steelers still have several starters about to hit the free agent market, including nose tackle Steve McLendon, guard Ramon Foster and left tackle Kelvin Beachum.
