Edmunds is playing for contract
Terrell Edmunds lost out on the opportunity to earn $6.7 million on a one-year guaranteed contract when the Steelers declined the option on his rookie contract last month. Now he’s more motivated than ever to prove to the Steelers — and the other 31 teams — that he’s worth it.
Edmunds was informed of the Steelers’ decision in a phone call by head coach Mike Tomlin.
“He told me that doesn’t mean business is over, but to stay motivated and come out here and do what I can,” Edmunds said Tuesday morning during the first day of a threeday minicamp at Heinz Field. “My emotions were, ‘Man, this is my contract year now.’ It’s on a whole new level. This year every game is like an interview, so you have to better yourself and you have to double down on yourself and put in the hard work.”
Business might not be over, but it’s a long shot for Edmunds to return in 2022. Edmunds is only the third Steelers player since 2011 to have his fifth-year option declined. The Steelers also did not pick up the option on 2013 firstround pick Jarvis Jones and 2016 first-round pick Artie Burns.
Jones signed with the Cardinals after his contract expired, but he never played in a game for them. Burns signed with the Bears and missed last season with a knee injury.
“Of course, I would love to come back to Steelers Nation,” Edmunds said. “They’re the people that gave me the opportunity to come to the NFL and made all of my dreams come true. I’m definitely still open that next year if we can make something happen. I guess right now I just have to bet on myself, and that’s what I’m doing. I’m coming in every day, working hard, keeping my head on straight, and let’s put 100% into every game.”
Edmunds has been a reliable, if unspectacular, starter for the Steelers since he arrived in 2018. He has played in 47 of a possible 48 games, with 43 starts.
Despite being a first-round pick, the Steelers did not have plans for Edmunds to start as a rookie, at least not right away. The Steelers signed veteran Morgan Burnett earlier that spring to pair alongside Sean Davis, but Burnett was injured during training camp. That opened the door for Edmunds, who stepped in and started 15 games.
The Steelers have created the most turnovers in the NFL over the past two seasons, but Edmunds hasn’t been among the team’s more opportunistic players. He has just three interceptions, one fumble recovery and two sacks during his first three seasons, which pales in comparison to the numbers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has posted since arriving to the Steelers early in the 2019 season.
“I think he will be much better because of the experience he’s had over the last few years. He can always learn from that,” Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler said of Edmunds. “I’ve always thought that guys in the first three years are really kind of learning the league, learning the people they’re playing against, and getting a chance to react a little faster because they’re recognizing things a little bit quicker.
“I’m looking for him to do that. I think he’s going to be quicker, not because he’s going to get faster or anything like that, but because he knows what he’s doing better. He’ll react faster. He’ll maybe be there a split-second earlier to get that interception that he didn’t do last year.”
The Steelers picked up the fifth-year option on Fitzpatrick’s rookie contract and will pay him $10.6 million in 2022, all guaranteed, if they don’t come to terms on a longterm deal before then.
Fitzpatrick has nine interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 30 games with the Steelers. He also has scored three defensive touchdowns.