The Beard is back. The Steelers have agreed to terms with veteran defensive end Brett Keisel according to multiple reports, and Keisel confirmed the news via his Twitter account. According to sources, the deal is expected to be finalized very soon.
Steelers and DE Brett Keisel have reached agreement. Keisel back to Pittsburgh, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 19, 2014
There's no place like home.
— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) August 19, 2014
I am very excited to finish what I started in 2002 with the @steelers. Time to get to work!! #SteelerNation #DaBeardNation
— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) August 19, 2014
Reports had Keisel headed to Arizona for a physical earlier today, but Keisel obviously never made it there. Shortly after that news started circulating, it was reported by a Cardinals reporter that Keisel declined the invitation to visit the Cardinals.
Source said Keisel declined visit invite. didn't want to leave his family. Steeler for 13 yrs. #azcardinals
— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) August 19, 2014
While stories circulated this spring that Keisel wouldn’t play for the minimum, I still expect his contract to qualify for the veteran minimum benefit. For Keisel, that would be a $955,000 base salary, with a $65,000 signing bonus. It certainly wouldn’t surprise me if the team offered him slightly more than that though, as there is cap room to allow it.