Should the Pittsburgh Steelers make Joe Haden's contract a priority?

Since joining the team from Cleveland in 2017, Haden has been the veteran leader of the secondary. Working with guys like Sean Davis, Mike Hilton and Terrell Edmunds, Haden has taken on the "vet" role the Steelers desperately needed.

He's not the only reason for the defense growing over the last two seasons, but he certainly one of the them. In two years with Pittsburgh, Haden has accumulated three interceptions and over 100 tackles. Not Pro Bowl numbers, but impressive compared to what Artie Burns and Ross Cockrell have done over that time.

So, is signing him a priority for the Steelers? Yes. Haden has become a fan and player favorite in the Steel City. He's only 30-years-old, and with Steven Nelson and Cameron Sutton building their ground with the team, having Haden around is a security blanket at worst.

While Sean Davis and Bud Dupree remain on the list of possible contract extensions, Haden should still be top priority. Pittsburgh wants to the leadership while they take this next step.

In today's NFL, replacing an outside linebacker of Dupree's skill level isn't difficult. Davis may be a star in the making, but the Steelers may be right in trying to wait out the season to hand him another deal. But the league doesn't have reliable cornerbacks coming out of no where.

They're right to lock in Haden before the season. He's worth the money and the time, and the Pittsburgh Steelers know it.