NFL Rumors: Pittsburgh Steelers interested in bringing Brett Keisel back
Former Pittsburght Steelers’ defensive lineman Brett Keisel obviously loved being a member of the Steelers.
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That’s why Keisel, who is currently a free agent, has been waiting for the Steelers to make him some sort of offer to return to the team. According to Ed Bouchette of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers are now interested in bringing Keisel back, but only want to do it at a minimum salary.
"Brett Keisel remains a free agent and it makes just too much sense for him not to rejoin the Steelers. He might be with them now if it weren’t for his balking at taking the minimum money. But as a top-tiered veteran, Keisel’s minimum would be $1 million. He probably also would not have to play as many snaps as they rotate rookie Stephon Tuitt at defensive end. The Steelers remain interested in Keisel for a contract that would included a $955,000 salary plus a $65,000 signing bonus but would count only $635,000 against their cap in 2014 because of the veteran minimum salary benefit rule in the CBA."
It’s no surprise that Keisel doesn’t want to return at that salary, but he may not have as much leverage as he once did in this situation. The Steelers drafted former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Stephon Tuitt with the 46th-overall pick in the second round of last month’s draft.
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.