Troy Polamalu Retires: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Rather than being released, perhaps testing the free-agent market and joining a new NFL team for the first time, veteran strong safety Troy Polamalu has retired ahead of the 2015 season.

The longtime Pittsburgh Steelers star told Scout.com's Jim Wexell the news in an exclusive interview, explaining why he's played his last down of professional football:

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I did not seriously consider playing elsewhere. It was just whether or not I wanted to play. I had talked to a lot of people about what I should do with my situation, and what they kept saying back to me, and which was not a sufficient reason, was 'Troy, you played 12 years in the NFL, you won Super Bowls, won individual awards. There's nothing left to prove. You have a legacy.' And I just kept saying, 'First of all, I don't care about a legacy. Second of all, I play the game because I enjoy it.' That's the reason to keep playing.

[...] What it came down to was definitely family. If I'm in my fourth year, fifth year, even if I'm in my 10th year, I'm playing in Alaska. But when I started this process and started to debate whether I should come back or should I play, that was kind of the sign for me to say 'Whoa, if you're just even debating it maybe you shouldn't play anymore,' because what I do know about this game is it takes a lot, a lot, of commitment just to be an average player.

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Wexell reports that Polamalu, 33, called Steelers owner Dan Rooney Thursday evening to inform him of his retirement.

Steelers president Art Rooney discussed Polamalu's decision in the team's official announcement on Friday:

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Since we drafted him in 2003, Troy Polamalu has been an outstanding player and person. On behalf of the entire Steelers organization and the Steelers Nation, I am happy to be able to publicly celebrate and thank Troy for his many contributions to the Steelers. His unique style of play will be remembered among the all-time Steelers. His passion for the game of football on the field and his willingness to be a contributor to the community make him a very special person.

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Dan Rooney also released a statement, per SportsCenter:

The announcement elicited immediate reaction from many in the NFL media.

ESPN's Adam Schefter praised Polamalu's place in Pittsburgh lore:

Bill Barnwell of Grantland also had kind words upon hearing the news:

The Boston Globe's Ben Volin hinted that Polamalu made the right call:

Polamalu, who would have been an $8.25 million cap hit in 2015, per Spotrac.com, was the 16th overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft out of USC and became a full-time starter in his second season. Armed with innate physicality, impeccable instincts and a high football IQ, Polamalu evolved into one of the best defensive backs of his era.

Longtime defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau allowed Polamalu to flourish in a freelancing role in the secondary. There was no telling what the roaming Polamalu would do, and the team afforded him the opportunity to take risks other players wouldn't and, frankly, couldn't.

Will Brinson of CBSSports.com did well in analyzing Polamalu's unique persona: 

As his physical skills began to diminish, though, the exotic style of play didn't work as well for Polamalu, and it showed in 2014.

Without free safety Ryan Clark in the fold and Polamalu past his prime, Pittsburgh finished 30th in the league versus the pass and placed 30th in Football Outsiders' defensive-efficiency ratings. It seemed only a matter of time before Polamalu, who turns 34 in April, would call it a career.

Paul Pabst of The Dan Patrick Show noted how concussions may have played a role in Polamalu's decision:

Based on his unique impact on the gridiron, two Super Bowl rings and five All-Pro bids, Polamalu seems destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Whether he's a first-ballot selection or has to wait longer, there ought to be a bust of Polamalu in Canton eventually.

Having lost two franchise cornerstones in Clark and Polamalu in successive offseasons, the Steelers need to make the secondary a priority.

Incumbent player Shamarko Thomas is a viable candidate to replace Polamalu as a starter, but Pittsburgh should emphasize the defensive backfield through the draft and free agency.