Steelers re-sign safety Clark to four-year deal
-
Steelers safety Ryan Clark.
Share with others:
For a team that historically has tiptoed into free agency, the Steelers dived headfirst and unleashed a flurry of activity that began with the quick signing of two unrestricted free agents and ended Monday with a new four-year, $14 million contract for free safety Ryan Clark and a three-year agreement to bring receiver Antwaan Randle El back to his former team.
Randle El, one of their Super Bowl XL heroes who played for the Steelers from 2002-05, is expected to visit the Steelers today to sign his contract. He was released four days ago by the Washington Redskins despite being their second-leading receiver in '09.
But that's not all.
After signing Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Will Allen and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Arnaz Battle to three-year contracts Monday, the Steelers will sign another unrestricted free agent today with whom they already have reached contract agreement -- former Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Jonathan Scott.
But, in what was probably the busiest free-agent day in franchise history, the most important transaction was reaching contract agreement with Clark, who, after meeting with the Miami Dolphins Monday, decided he didn't want to leave Pittsburgh or the Steelers organization.
Clark's deal, which averages $3.5 million, came just hours after the team signed Allen, 27, to a three-year, $4.4 million contract that included a $975,000 signing bonus.
"In the end, he went somewhere and saw for him and his family that he'd rather be in Pittsburgh," said Joel Turner, Clark's agent. "They want to be a fixture in that community. They're wonderful people. They're glad to be in Pittsburgh for four more years and beyond."
Instead of having a chance to possibly replace Clark, Allen is expected to replace veteran Tyrone Carter as a backup safety and be used on special teams.
Allen and Battle, who played seven seasons in San Francisco, each signed with the Steelers just hours after making their first visit to the team's South Side practice facility. Battle's three-year deal is worth $3.9 million with a $975,000 signing bonus.
First Published March 9, 2010 12:00 am
