After two straight offseasons of scrambling to keep Max Starks in a Steelers uniform, Pittsburgh has locked in the veteran offensive tackle for a while.Starks, who was transitioned tagged in 2008 and franchise tagged in February, agreed to a four-year extension with the Steelers. Financial terms were not immediately available, but at least one report said Starks' new deal was worth $26.3 million, with $10 million guaranteed.
Starks, 27, is entering his sixth season in the NFL -- he was drafted by the Steelers in 2004, and has played his entire career in Pittsburgh. Last season, Starks played in all 16 regular season games, starting 11.
He is expected to be Pittsburgh's starting left tackle in 2009.
In other Steelers news on Tuesday, cornerback Fernando Bryant announced his retirement after a 10-year career. Bryant played his first five seasons with Jacksonville, then moved to Detroit for four and finally finished up in Pittsburgh. He played just two games for the Steelers during their Super Bowl run.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-23-2009 @ 4:10PM
gcn said...
It might not seem like a big deal to other, but to a Steelers fan this is huge news. I haven't seen the final numbers, but this probably frees up a significant amount of cash this year to help sign the rooks and possible a new deal for Heath Miller. Even if it doesn't free up a lot this year, this certainly helps the cap situation in future years as Pittsburgh would not be reliant on the tag to keep Stark on the team (he is, after all, the best O-lineman they have, although that might say more about the rest of the line than about Starks himself). Good for the Steelers, and good for Starks.
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6-24-2009 @ 2:15AM
birchibaldbarlow said...
Why would they bother to throw money at Heath Miller? Ben never throws him the ball. He COULD be a valuable weapon, but Ben never sees him.
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6-24-2009 @ 8:18AM
jayandtiti said...
I think this is good move for the Steelers, if Starks can stay healthy, and has the energy to play a whole game. I think releasing Fanaca was a mistake made by Pittsburgh when they should have kept him, I know the turmoil that surrounded that whole fiasco, but they should have tried. Starks wasn't very good at blocking Ben's blind side and defenses are going to be gunning for him this year. heath Millers declining role is apparent to the offensive gameplan why they don't utilize him i have no idea, it took Cower YEARS to throw to a tight-end even though Pittsburgh has had MANY great tight-ends, finally it got started with the draft of Miller and he had great seasons leading up to the superbowl wins. lets hope they make the right decision to keep him and also make the right decision to get him more involved in the offense.
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