Steelers,Troy Polamalu to rework deal
— -- While they still need salary-cap space, the Pittsburgh Steelers will not release veteran safety Troy Polamalu, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Wednesday morning.
One source said the Rooney family simply is too loyal and Polamalu has been two valuable.
Either the two sides will try to work out a restructured contract that will lower Polamalu's $10.88 million salary-cap figure for the coming season, or the Steelers could get the eight-time Pro Bowler to accept a pay cut.
Polamalu, who turns 33 next month, played every snap last season and recorded 85 tackles while intercepting two passes and forcing five fumbles.
A 12-year veteran, Polamalu has 710 career tackles, 32 interceptions and 13 forced fumbles with the Steelers. He is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and was the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.
After signing outside linebacker Jason Worilds to a one-year, $9.75 million transition tender on Tuesday, the Steelers are $15.5 million over the cap, according to ESPN Stats & Info, and they have some work to do to get in compliance with the cap before next Tuesday.
Polamalu, who has long been one of the faces of the Steelers, told ESPN.com last December that he plans to honor his contract, which has one year left on it.
Steelers president Art Rooney II said during a conference call with season ticket holders in February that he wants Polamalu to play his entire career in Pittsburgh.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and ESPN.com Steelers reporter Scott Brown contributed to this report.
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