The Steelers have plenty they need to accomplish in free agency when the lockout ends. They also would surely like to get franchise player Lamarr Woodley locked up long term.
When the frenzy dies down in a few weeks, they should start thinking of their homegrown players they can re-sign. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons comes to mind. Oh, and some guy named Polamalu is a free agent in 2012 that might get a new deal.
“There’s been no discussion yet, but I’d say it’s highly likely that was because of the lockout. We’d be open to it, sure,” Polamalu’s agent Marvin Demoff told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “Troy’s played there eight years and wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh.”
Demoff points out that the Steelers usually take care of a player like Polamalu the year before his contract is up. That’s this year. Like Demoff, we’d be surprised if the Steelers don’t aggressively look to lock him up despite his age (30) and injury history.
Pittsburgh is usually hesitant to make big deals to over-30 players, but there are exceptions. And Demoff says Polamalu won’t be the type to keep playing after his decline truly sets in.
“That’s not Troy,” Demoff said. “He’s not the type to keep playing when he’s not at a high level. No offense, but he’s not going to be Brett Favre.”