With one day remaining before the start of the regular season, the Steelers are talking to wide receiver Hines Ward about a contract extension.
Ward, the team's leading receiver the past two seasons, signed a one-year tender worth $512,000 in the off-season as a restricted free agent. But the Steelers are trying to reach agreement with him on a contract extension before the start of the season-opening game in Jacksonville tomorrow.
Historically, the Steelers do not conduct contract negotiations once the regular season begins. They might make an exception if they are close to an agreement with a player and the negotiations spill over into the early part of the season.
"We have a good nucleus here and, with the new stadium, I'd like to be a part of it and stay here," Ward said. "I'd like to have an extension. At the same time, I have to go out and do what's best for me, let my play take care of my contract."
Despite drafting Troy Edwards (1999) and Plaxico Burress (2000) in the first round, Ward has been the team's most productive receiver the past two years, catching 109 passes for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns. It remains to be seen if the Steelers will pay Ward as a No. 1 receiver because they have so much money invested in Edwards and Burress.
Ward and No. 3 receiver Bobby Shaw each signed one-year tenders in the off-season and will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the 2001 season.
Since training camp began, the Steelers have extended the contracts of three players -- cornerbacks Dewayne Washington and Chad Scott and safety Brent Alexander.
They freed up more money this past week when they released veteran quarterback Kent Graham, who was scheduled to earn $1.4 million this season, and defensive end Chris Sullivan, who would have made $1.3 million.
Steelers seeking extension of Ward's contract 
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