Steelers, Polamalu in last-minute talks

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers say they've returned to the bargaining table in an effort to come to terms with safety Troy Polamalu before the season starts Sunday.

The NFL defensive player of the year is entering the final season of his contract, and the Steelers' discussions earlier this summer with Polamalu's agent Marvin Demoff stalled and went nowhere.

The team then decided it would consider no more contract extensions until after the season, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Wednesday.

However, team president Art Rooney had a change of heart and decided to make one last attempt to sign Polamalu to an extension of his contract, the newspaper said.

Polamalu, 30, is set to get $6.4 million this season, the last year of a five-year, $33 million contract.

He has declined to talk about the contract negotiations, and Demoff could not be reached for comment, the Post-Gazette reported.