The Pittsburgh Steelers worked out new three-year deals with safety Troy Polamalu and tight end Heath Miller, keeping the key veterans under contract through 2016 while gaining some much-needed salary cap space.
The team also re-signed safety Will Allen, his agent announced on Twitter.
Financial terms of the deals were not immediately known.
Polamalu was due an $8.5 million for 2014, and the team was intent on working out a restructured deal and avoid having to release the 12-year veteran leader of the defense. While injury-plagued in recent seasons, Polamalu, who will turn 33 next month, played every snap last season and recorded 85 tackles, two interceptions and forced five fumbles.
Miller was due to have a cap number of $9.5 million in 2014, with USA Today reporting the new deal cuts that figure to $6.1 million. He will reportedly earn base salaries of $4 million in 2015 and 2016. He finished fourth on the team with 58 catches for 593 yards and one touchdown last season, while continuing to serve as a key blocker in the ground game.
Allen served as the primary backup to Polamalu and Ryan Clark last season, and in addition to five games played with Dallas he actually saw action in 17 regular-season games. He could be in line to compete with second-year player Shamarko Thomas for a starting role if Clark leaves via free agency.
Signing outside linebacker Jason Worilds to a one-year, $9.75 million transition tender this week put the Steelers $15.5 million over the salary cap, according to ESPN, meaning the team needed to restructure contracts like Polamalu’s.
They are still over the cap heading into the start of free agency next week, meaning more moves are likely ahead for the Steelers.