The Steelers provided a brief update on Troy Polamalu’s contract status this morning. The update: there is no update. Here is the full release provided on the team’s website.
“At this time, we do not have an update on Troy Polamalu or his contract status. We will continue to communicate with Troy and his representatives regarding his future.”
Why release a statement with no real information? Perhaps it was strategic. If the front office hasn’t heard much from Troy’s camp, maybe they’re looking to light a subtle fire under them.
Troy is slotted to count $8.25 Mil against the cap this year if nothing changes. The odds of that happening are about as close to none as it can get. The likely scenarios are: a) the team releases Troy and designates him a June 1st cut. b) the team asks Troy to take a very significant pay cut. c) Troy retires.
The team could outright release Troy, but the difference between that and a June 1st designation is $2.25 Mil in cap savings this year. If Troy were to retire, the team could possibly recoup some of his signing bonus money, but that gets a little murky, and recent rumors have indicated Troy doesn’t plan on retiring.
Regardless of how it plays out, Troy’s future in Pittsburgh will be known very soon.