Troy Polamalu Expected To Consider Retirement If Steelers Release Him

Albert Breer of NFL Media reports that Steelers veteran S Troy Polamalu has expressed some desire to play next year.

However, sources close to Polamalu believe he will consider retirement if the Steelers elect to release him this offseason.

Beat writer Ed Bouchette mentioned in an interview with 93-7 The Fan that Pittsburgh is hoping Polamalu will retire, but he expects the veteran safety to not be back back with the Steelers in 2015 one way or another.

“That is the elephant in the room,” Bouchette said, via CBS Houston. “I expect him not to be here by some means. The Steelers are hoping he would retire, but I don’t know if he is going to.”

Polamalu, 33, still has another two years remaining on his three-year, $20 million contract that included $7 million guaranteed. He stands to make base salaries of $6 million and $5.75 million over the final two years of the agreement.

According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Polamalu would free up $3.75 million in cap space while creating $4.5 million in dead money.

In 2014, Polamalu recorded 61 tackles, one forced fumble, a recovery and a pass defense over the course of 12 games. Pro Football Focus has Polamalu rated as the No. 48 safety out of 87 qualifying players.