Will Keenan Lewis' price tag be too rich for Steelers?

05:45 PM ET 01.04 | Unrestricted free agent Keenan Lewis says he wants to remain with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it will come at quite the cost for the franchise. That alone begs the question: will the Steelers be able to afford to retain Lewis for the 2013 season and beyond? There aren't many good young corners in the NFL, and Lewis certainly made his mark as one this season. In addition, he is coming off his first full season as a starter and led the NFL in passes defensed. Having Lewis on the other side of Ike Taylor was a big reason why the Steelers finished the season ranked No. 1 against the pass, allowing only 185 yards per game in the air. Last year Lewis was a restricted free agent who made $1.26 million and looking back, he was smart not to seek a long-term deal, because his price tag has now gone way up. "I didn't want a contract in 2012" Lewis told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette. "I was just a nickel back. I probably would have told them to hold up on the contract anyway because I wanted to really establish myself as a starting cornerback. I didn't want nickel-back money, I wanted starter money." Lewis has put himself in a good spot as he will be one of the top available corners on the open market, and you have to wonder if he has priced himself out of the Steelers' price range.

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