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Pittsburgh • The Pittsburgh Steelers are keeping at least one of their free agent linebackers around.
The team announced Monday it has signed Arthur Moats to a three-year contract that will keep him in Pittsburgh through 2017. Moats, who turns 27 next weekend, had four sacks in his first season with the Steelers in 2014. Moats added 24 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He signed with the Steelers last spring after playing four seasons in Buffalo.
Gone is defensive end Brett Keisel, a longtime fixture in Pittsburgh who was released later Monday.
Moats filled in capably at both inside and outside linebacker last season for the AFC North champions. Pittsburgh is in serious need of help at outside linebacker: James Harrison and Jason Worilds are free agents, leaving Jarvis Jones as the only experienced outside linebacker on the roster when the new league year begins on Tuesday.
The Steelers also agreed to terms with backup tight end Matt Spaeth on a two-year contract. The 31-year-old Spaeth is used primarily as a blocker. He caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in 15 games with Pittsburgh in 2014, including a 33-yard strike from Ben Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter of a victory against Baltimore on Nov. 2 that gave Roethlisberger an NFL-record six touchdown passes in consecutive games.
Keisel spent 13 seasons with the Steelers, becoming known for his lengthy beard. But he was an accomplished player on some strong defenses and won two Super Bowls with the team.
He tore a triceps last season after appearing in 12 games. The move was expected.
"We have had conversations with Brett over the past couple of weeks during which we communicated our intentions to him," Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. "Brett has played a major role in our success during his 13 years in Pittsburgh. We appreciate his efforts and we are grateful for what he helped us accomplish, including two Super Bowl championships. We will always consider him an all-time Pittsburgh Steeler."
Pittsburgh will have several decisions to make when free agency starts, including what to do with safety Troy Polamalu. The eight-time Pro Bowler has two years remaining on his current deal, but saw his play dip noticeably in 2014. Colbert said Monday the team remains in communication with Polamalu about 2015 and beyond. Polamalu has a cap number of $8 million next season. The Steelers can save a significant chunk of that money if they cut him with a post-June 1 designation.