Troy Polamalu: Steelers Cement Another Super Bowl by Extending Elite Safety

Expect to see the Pittsburgh Steelers hoist another Super Bowl trophy within the next four years.

Pittsburgh wisely locked up future Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu for the next four years, which guarantees many more Super Sunday appearances for the black and gold.

“Filed to ESPN: Steelers and Troy Polamalu agreed to a new four-year deal. Ties safety to franchise through 2014,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Steel Curtain will remain an elite defense for at least another four years now that Polamalu is staying in Pittsburgh. It doesn’t matter if “The Terminator” James Harrison leaves, because the “Tazmanian Devil” is sticking around to create mayhem for opposing offenses.

Polamalu is the most important defensive player in the league—hands down. There isn’t a legitimate debate out there at this point in time.

Sure, Ndamukong Suh is making strides, but it’s still all about Polamalu. The things Troy does on the field are jaw-dropping. The Steelers’ defense is good without him, but they’re elite with him.

How the Steelers didn’t lock him up first and foremost is beyond me. He’s not just the most important defender in the league, he’s the most important player on the team.

Last year, the Steelers went into the season with Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon starting at quarterback because Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for the first four games.

No legitimate quarterback? No problem.

Polamalu led the team to a 3-1 start to the season. They could’ve been 4-0 if not for a late-second touchdown by the Baltimore Ravens.

This is a man who can disguise a blitz better than anybody in the game, which is invaluable for this Steelers’ defense. He is one of the top ball hawks and tacklers in the game, but he also may be the most fluid in his ability to maneuver the field.

This is a man with 516 total tackles, eight sacks, eight force fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 27 interceptions and two touchdowns in 107 career games.

We don’t know the exact terms of agreement, but I’ll make an educated guess and say that no matter what the Steelers are paying him, he’s underpaid.

Polamalu deserves to be the highest paid defender in the league. He deserves quarterback money for his remarkable leadership and season-changing abilities. If last year proved anything, it’s that he’s more valuable than Big Ben. I don’t care if Big Ben is the QB, Troy deserves to make more money than anybody else in Pittsburgh.

Polamalu is the biggest reason the Steelers are an annual threat to win the Super Bowl. Without him, they’re just another team fighting for the right to contend. With him, they’re the favorite.