Chukky Okobi left Pittsburgh once. He did not want to do it again. So yesterday he decided to forgo free agency to sign a four-year, $6 million contract and stay with the Steelers.

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Pittsburgh Steelers Chukky Okobi during a 2003 game against the Browns in Cleveland. Click photo for larger image. More Steelers Bob Smizik: Steelers back away from free agent market too quickly NFL Notebook: Patriots pick up punter Josh Miller

The Steelers believe Okobi, their backup center since they drafted him on the fifth round in 2001, will one day succeed starter Jeff Hartings, possibly by 2005.

They structured his deal to pay him like a backup in his first two years and as a starter in the next two.

Okobi, who was a restricted free agent, will receive annual salaries of $455,000, $853,000, $2 million and $2 million. He can earn $700,000 in incentives.

"We don't know if he's going to be a starter or backup this year," agent Joe Linta said. "Hartings has every intention of coming back and they have every intention of wanting him back."

Okobi, 25, started five games in 2002 for an injured Hartings, who has chronic knee soreness. He played in only two games last season because Hartings stayed virtually injury free.

Born in Pittsburgh as Chukwunweze Sonume Okobi, he moved to New York to live with his mother in his youth. He could have played through the 2004 season for the $628,000 contract tendered him by the Steelers and become an unrestricted free agent next year, but decided against it.

"I look at it as working for a company and this is one of the best companies to work for," said Okobi, who is 6 feet 1 and 310 pounds.

"Not only that, for sentimental reasons, being from the city, I can't imagine playing anywhere else. Can I see myself playing for Cincinnati? What sense does that make? The Steelers are in my blood."

He sees himself as the Steelers' starting center someday.

"That's the goal. For me, that was the goal in 2001 when I signed as a rookie. It's been a long process, but I feel I'm getting closer to that. It's not like I'm behind someone who can't play. Jeff's a great player. We can both help this team and they know no matter what happens to Jeff, there won't be any drop-off."

When might that day come when he takes over at center?

"Those are things you have to ask the head coach," Okobi said. "Myself and Jeff are one big happy family. I'm not going to be arguing with people, asking why I don't play. This is a team. My role is just as important as Jeff's is."

NOTES -- Mike Logan will make a second visit this week to Green Bay, along with his wife, at the request of the Packers as he considers an offer to sign with them. Logan, an unrestricted free agent, started at strong safety for the Steelers last season.