Steelers officials took Saturday off from the Jason Gildon negotiations. Some went skiing; others attended a 50th wedding anniversary party for president Dan Rooney and his wife, Pat.
Meanwhile, Gildon's agent Peter Schaffer likewise spent a leisurely day with his family at his Denver home, but that doesn't mean negotiations aimed at getting a long-term contract for Gildon have hit a wall.
On the contrary, both sides remain optimistic that a contract will be worked out soon.
Schaffer and Steelers negotiators Omar Khan and Dan Rooney Jr. held cordial talks before and after the Steelers placed the franchise tag on Gildon on Thursday. Coach Bill Cowher called Schaffer to reiterate the team's desire to keep Gildon on their payroll.
If that positive attitude continues, Schaffer said, a contract will follow.
"My position has been that, as long as the talks remain open and honest and positive and respectful, a resolution is going to be forthcoming," Schaffer said.
Gildon, an All-Pro outside linebacker and the Steelers' sack leader since 1998, was due for unrestricted free agency March 1, but the franchise tag means any other team signing Gildon must compensate the Steelers with two first-round draft choices. The Steelers also would have seven days to match any offer.
If no agreement is reached before the start of the season, the Steelers must pay Gildon $5.515 million on a one-year contract, the average of the top five salary-cap figures at linebacker in 2001. That would be a significant burden on the team's cap, and the Steelers would like to reduce that charge with a multi-year deal.
Contract talks may resume today.
