Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Charlie Batch will sign a three-year deal with the Steelers today that will pay him more than $ 1 million annually. Click photo for larger image. Related stories Art Rooney's grandson may run for U.S. Senate in Florida

Charlie Batch will sign a contract with the Steelers this afternoon for the third time in five years.

Batch and the Steelers came to an agreement yesterday on a three-year contract that will pay him more than $1 million annually, nearly double what he earned last season. He was promoted to No. 2 quarterback behind Ben Roethlisberger at midseason when Tommy Maddox faltered. Maddox was released last week.

Batch, 31, will become the third of the Steelers' 12 unrestricted free agents to sign a contract, with him and linebacker Clint Kriewaldt opting to stay and Antwaan Randle El joining the Washington Redskins.

"I didn't really plan on being anywhere else," Batch said. "I like the organization. This is where I want to be."

Other Steelers were in various states of negotiations with the Steelers and other clubs.

Defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen was in New York discussing a deal with the Jets, who will switch to the 3-4 defense next season and likely will trade defensive end John Abraham.

The Steelers and agent Eric Metz continue to trade proposals for defensive end Brett Keisel, who could replace von Oelhoffen at right end.

Safety Chris Hope yesterday visited the Tennessee Titans and will visit the San Francisco 49ers this week. The New England Patriots want to take a look at halfback Verron Haynes.

Batch signed with the Steelers in 2002 as a free agent from Detroit, where he started his first four seasons in the league. He remained mostly No. 3 with the Steelers and threw only eight passes in three seasons with the team.

Last season, though, he moved up to No. 2 after Maddox played terribly in a loss to Jacksonville Oct. 16. Batch played in four games and started two, both victories. He completed 23 of 36 passes for 246 yards and had one touchdown, one interception and an 81.5 passer rating.