When our staff debated keeping Joe Haden around, it was an important question because of how it would affect the Steelers' salary cap, both this season and beyond.
But make no mistake, if the decision on Haden's contract was based purely on his value to the defense, he would receive top priority. Haden's presence has boosted efficiency in communication and helped mask mistakes of a young secondary. Here's why keeping him needs to be part of the plan:
The oldest defensive back fighting for starting time outside of Haden is the newly signed Steven Nelson at 26 years old. Among Mike Hilton, Sean Davis, Terrell Edmunds and even the depth cornerbacks like Artie Burns, Justin Layne and Brian Allen, none of them is older than 25.
Haden's the player they all look up to, and for good reason. He's refined his game to be good enough to be left on an island with most receivers and succeeded even when he didn't get help from teammates on plays he would expect it.
Here's a perfect example when he swatted a pass and broke up a touchdown against the Ravens. He's lined up with John Brown, a speedster, who runs a good post route. Edmunds makes a rookie mistake and fails to get back in time to help Haden, allowing Brown a clear path to the goal post.
But Haden is a master of trailing the back shoulder and playing for the ball. Watch how he stays in Brown's hip pocket the entire time, then puts a perfectly-timed hand where the ball arrives:
Haden's instincts are what make him the Steelers' best defensive back, and sometimes even their best defensive player. The biggest defensive play of the season came when he played zone defense and intercepted Tom Brady.
Watch where Brady's eyes go on this play as the Steelers have virtually ever option covered. The Steelers do this often without any turnover to show for it, but when the pocket breaks down and Brady tries to throw to either of his best targets in Julian Edelman or Rob Gronkowski, Haden capitalizes by not only high-pointing the ball, but fighting to get his feet down to complete the interception:
Haden is a finisher. He doesn't just come into a play looking to perform his assignment. He constantly assesses what opponents are doing and works to provide any extra boost he can to the defense.
As the Steelers push to boost turnovers and make this defense an elite group, Haden most likely will be at the top of that list in interceptions. He hasn't had a consistent partner opposite him at cornerback since he's arrived, and that's why Kevin Colbert got Nelson.
Unless Layne or another cornerback impresses the team as a rising star who's ready to start, there's no reason for the Steelers to make plans after 2019 without Haden.
MORE CARTER’S CLASSROOM
June 28: Run defense even better?
June 27: Communicating the danger
June 26: Hargrave balances D-line
June 25: JuJu’s back-shoulder skills
June 24: Villanueva vs. Garrett
