Troy Polamalu wants to play one more year, but may not be with Steelers

By Vinnie Criscenzo | Mar 5, 2015

Nov 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu (43) looks on from the sidelines against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Saints won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Troy Polamalu would like to play one more year, but it may not be with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

According to Yahoo Sports Shutdown Corner, longtime Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu would like to play one more year, but it most likely won’t be with the Steelers.

The Steelers have made it clear that the team is ready to move on from their longtime franchise player and that Polamalu is not in their plans for next season. However, Polamalu is not certain he wants to retire just yet. If the soon-to-be 34-year old safety does ultimately decide to play next year, it most likely will not be with the Steelers.

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The Steelers want Polamalu to just retire so that they can tie a bow on a tremendous career of one of their greatest players and won’t have to be faced with the tough decision of having to cut him, as he is still under contract for next season. The Steelers were forced to do that with wide receiver Hines Ward, and it will be even harder to have to go through that again with Troy Polamalu.

You could make the argument that the Steelers should have parted ways with Polamalu before last season, but sentiment got the better of them and they brought Polamalu back for the 2014 season. He was a shade of his former self, as he was unable to cover opposing receivers and it was difficult to watch.

It seems like all those years of playing the brutally physical game that Polamalu played is finally catching up with him, as his body is just not able to perform at the level that it used to.

It’s an extremely tough situation for both parties, which is why the Steelers are praying for Polamalu to ultimately decide to retire so they can end things smoothly and on a good note. If Polamalu decides he wants to play next season, it will force the Steelers to have to file for divorce and it could end things in a bitter way. It also will be very difficult for the Steelers fan base.

There are rumors that if Polamalu decides to play next season, that he could follow Dick LeBeau to the Tennessee Titans. There, he could maybe be in more of a teaching role to the Titans defense. Still, what would be the upside of doing that for Polamalu?

Polamalu should just call it a career and retire as a Pittsburgh Steeler. However, it is a lot easier said than done.

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