Steelers, Randle El reach agreement on four-year contract
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Second-round draft pick Antwaan Randle El, the former Indiana quarterback who is being converted into a wide receiver, has reached contract terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Randle El agreed to a $2.29 million, four-year deal that includes a $930,000 signing bonus. His base salaries will be $225,000 this season, $300,000 in 2003, $380,000 in 2004 and $455,000 in 2005. His cap value to the Steelers this season is $457,500.
The Steelers also reached terms with seventh-round pick Brett Keisel, a 280-pound defensive end from Brigham Young, on a $932,750, three-year deal that includes a signing bonus of $27,750.
Randle El is the only Division I player to pass for more than 6,000 yards and run for more than 3,000 yards, but the Steelers are shifting him to receiver. He is expected to compete with Terance Mathis to be the slot receiver when the Steelers go to a three-receiver set, a role played by Bobby Shaw last season. Shaw has since signed with Jacksonville.
By reaching terms with Randle El and Keisel, the Steelers have only two unsigned picks: first-rounder Kendall Simmons, the former Auburn offensive lineman, and fullback Verron Haynes, a fifth-rounder from Georgia.
Linebacker Larry Foote of Michigan reached terms Wednesday on a $1.174 million, three-year contract that includes a $269,000 signing bonus. Foote led Division I players last season with a school-record 26 tackles for losses.