Like Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers’ James Harrison and Brett Keisel have agreed to restructure his contract. It’s not yet clear what the new terms of Roethlisberger’s and Harrison’s contracts will be, but basically, these moves involve shuffling some money around so that the Steelers can get under the new salary cap, which is $120 million plus a few million dollars in exemptions. Harrison was set to cost about $7.4 million against the cap, Keisel about $4 million.
Also, the Steelers signed quarterback Dennis Dixon to a one-year deal. Dixon played in two games during Roethlisberger’s suspension last year and completed 22 of 32 passes for 254 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He supposedly is interested in going elsewhere after 2011 and looking for a starting job, but those may be tough to come by for him. In Pittsburgh this year, he will compete with Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch for a chance to play if Roethlisberger should get hurt.
For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain.