NFL Rumors: Pittsburgh Steelers still expected to re-sign Brett Keisel
The Pittsburgh Steelers clearly wanted to get younger on defense in the 2014 NFL Draft.
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That’s why they selected former Ohio State Buckeyes’ linebacker Ryan Shazier in the first round and former Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt in the second. That doesn’t mean they don’t want to keep a few veterans around.
Brett Keisel has been waiting for the Steelers to make him some sort of offer to return to the team and the Steelers are obviously interested in re-signing Keisel, but want to do so on the cheap.
In spit of an obvious disagreement on the salary front, Scott Brown of ESPN.com still expects Keisel to eventually re-sign with the Steelers.
"Still pretty quiet on that front but I think the Steelers will re-sign Brett Keisel though it might not be until right before the start of training camp. He would be a terrific mentor for second-round pick Stephon Tuitt and Keisel’s presence would allow the Steelers to bring Tuitt along slowly. I agree too that Keisel still has something left, and he could play in a rotation with Cam Thomas and Tuitt with the limited snaps keeping him fresh throughout the season. I know the Steelers are committed to getting younger on defense but Keisel would contribute both on and off the field. I think if defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has his way Keisel will be back for one more season."
Keisel was drafted with the 242nd-overall pick in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft and has spent all 11 years of his career with the Steelers, totaling 391 tackles and 29.0 sacks. He had 29 tackles and 4.0 sacks last season.