Steelers sign DE Tuitt to 6-year deal

Anchors line with Heyward; won’t hit open market

The Steelers took another step toward securing their core players by signing defensive end Stephon Tuitt Saturday to a new six-year, $ 61.05 million contract.

The total value of the deal makes Tuitt the fifth-highest paid defensive end in the NFL, according to overthecap. which tracks NFL player contracts.

Tuitt, a second-round draft choice in 2014 (46th overall), was entering the final year of his contract and would have been an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

Meanwhile, the Steelers activated running back Le’Veon Bell from the two-week roster exemption, and he will play Sunday in Cleveland. To make room for Bell, inside linebacker Steven Johnson, who was re-signed last week, was released.

Tuitt has emerged as a top player on the defensive line along with Cam Heyward, registering 92 tackles, 10½ sacks, four batted passes and three forced fumbles in the past two seasons.

The Steelers have been working on a contract extension since training camp, and Tuitt expressed optimism the other day the deal would get done before the start of the regular season. The Steelers do not negotiate with players once the regular season begins.

“It’s ongoing. Hopefully, everything is close,” he said. “Right now I’m worried about getting better every day to get ready for the Browns.”

Heyward, who signed a six-year, $ 52.28 million deal in 2015 that will keep him with the Steelers through 2020, congratulated Tuitt with this Twitter post:

“Super happy for my guy @DOCnation_7 very deserving of it! Glad we together for more years to come.”