Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert talked to the local media on Thursday ahead of him leaving for the annual NFL scouting combine in a few weeks and he had several interesting things to say, according to several local media members who cover the team.
Colbert indicated Thursday that he is hopeful the team can re-sign quarterback Landry Jones and linebacker Lawrence Timmons during the offseason but did admit that both players might be allowed to test free agency before that happens.
Colbert’s Thursday comments about Jones come on the heels of Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writing in a recent online chat they he expects Jones to be back with the Steelers in 2017.
As for Timmons, who like Jones is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent on March 9, the start of the 2017 league year, it doesn’t sound like the Steelers have had any serious contract discussions with him at this point.
Colbert reportedly indicated Thursday that wide receiver Antonio Brown is the only player the team is currently involved in long-term contract negotiations with now. Brown, of course, still has one year remaining on his current contract.
It will now be interesting to see what happens with Jones and Timmons once March 9 rolls around. Timmons has stated several times over the course of the last year that he wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh. To do so, however, he’s likely going to have to sign a very team-friendly deal.
“Would you like to have him stay? Absolutely. Does it all fit? We can make it work, but at what cost?” Colbert said of Timmons, according to Dulac.
As for Jones’ future, that will likely be determined by what kind of attention he receives early on in free agency.
