Drew Rosenhaus the agent for the starting center Justin Hartwig approached the Steelers in early May about an extension for Hartwig who enters the 2009 season with one year remaining on his two year – $4 million deal he signed last year.
With Max Starks and Heath Miller at the top of the Steelers wishlist, it was widely believed that the Steelers would have little interest re-signing Hartwig before the season but sources indicate
Rosenhaus is really the pushing the idea and the Steelers are more receptive than many thought they would be.
The numbers coming from Rosenhaus end are a slight increase from Hartwig’s two million a year salary he is making now.
The Steelers believe they have stability in the future at guard with Kraig Urbik and Chris Kemoeatu.
Despite drafting A.Q. Shipley in the 7th round, the Steelers don’t have anyone in the waiting to replace Hartwig in the immediate future. That is playing into the Steelers thinking, in their approach to the possibility of locking up Justin Hartwig for a couple more seasons.
Sources indicate the two sides will continue talks in the next couple weeks and league sources tell me Rosenhaus is confident that the two sides will strike a deal before the regular season.