The Patriots are playing the waiting game on Emmanuel Sanders, and the Steelers aren’t making things easy.
Sanders signed an offer sheet with the Patriots on Wednesday, agreeing to bolt from Pittsburgh for New England on a one-year deal. Now, the Steelers have until Monday to decide whether to keep the restricted free agent, which has the Steelers’ front office split.
The decision makers down in Pittsburgh are split 50-50 on whether to match the offer to Sanders, according to ESPN’s John Clayton. Half reportedly want to keep the talented wide receiver and the other half wants the draft pick.
The biggest issue for the Steelers right now is that they are tight up against the salary cap and Sanders’ $2.5 million deal, which is double the price of Pittsburgh’s original tender for him, would bring them even closer to that cap wall. There is also the notion that the Patriots have already sewn up some good will with Sanders and that he would bolt for New England after the season and the Steelers would be left with nothing.
Whatever decision the Steelers come to, the Patriots can at least feel good knowing they came away with a win.
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Photo via Facebook/Emmanuel Sanders
