Steelers Polamalu ‘Not In The Plans’ For 2015
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has been the anchor of this defense since 2004 – one year after he was drafted in the first round. Eleven years later, and it looks as though Troy will be gone – his choice or not.
By way of NFL.com and sources close to the team and Ian Rapoport, Troy Polamalu is “not in the plans” for the Steelers and 2015.
This really shouldn’t come as a shocker to most in Steeler Nation. And really, there shouldn’t be any angry feels about Polamalu not suiting up next season.
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Polamalu, despite having a 2013 that looked more like a 2008 season, has been on the decline. Injury prone. Concussion prone. Steps and pursuit not as good as it has been. Twelve years has taken quite a toll on our beloved #43.
While most outside of the Steelers organization would see this as a really tough position for the team to be in, Polamalu will go quietly no matter the how.
Obviously, the team would prefer that he would retire. A retirement releases them of the cap hit they would take if they were to cut him over the next several months. The next best option would be to hold onto him until June 1st and then cut him. That move would save the team a few extra million in much needed cap space.
A retirement makes parting a ‘cleaner’ affair. A nice press conference announcing the end of a storied career is far better on the heart than hearing of one’s release via NFL.com or another news source.
Regardless, I think fans have made their peace with this. And, if not, then they and you better start.
So what or who is in the plans for 2015?
Young safety-in-waiting Shamarko Thomas has been waiting in the wings for the last two seasons. He’s trained with Polamalu during the offseason. He’s been excelling on special teams. He’s hungry, and whether he’s ready or not, he will be the “man to beat” come training camp.
Will Allen will still serve admirably as a veteran back up.
It will indeed be sad and somewhat unsettling at first to not see #43 on the field. In fact, I would expect that we will never see that number on the field ever again. That’s Troy’s number. And, his alone.
Viva la Troy.