The anchor of the Steelers' defense for the past decade will remain with the team for several years to come after Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton today agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the team. Financial terms of the deal, which runs through 2012, were not released.
Hampton, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the Steelers' 75th Season All-Time Team, has been a force in the middle of the Steelers' defense since being selected 19th overall in the 2001 NFL Draft.
"We are pleased to know that Casey Hampton will be a member of our team for years to come," said Steelers President Art Rooney II. "Casey has been an important member of our club for nearly a decade, and we hope that this contract will allow him to finish his career as a Pittsburgh Steeler."
A starter since his rookie season, Hampton recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks and 42 tackles in 2009. He has registered 314 tackles and 8.5 sacks during his career. The Steelers have finished among the NFL's top three defenses against the run in eight of Hampton's nine seasons with the team. Pittsburgh's defense has ranked among the top five NFL defenses in seven of Hampton's nine seasons and has never finished lower than ninth in the league.
Hampton has started 121 of his 128 games with the Steelers, including all 16 games in 2009. He was named the Steelers' 2005 co-MVP (Hines Ward) and was selected to the AFC Pro Bowl squad in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010.
