After two straight offseasons of scrambling to keep Max Starks in a Steelers uniform, Pittsburgh has locked in the veteran offensive tackle for a while.Starks, who was transitioned tagged in 2008 and franchise tagged in February, agreed to a four-year extension with the Steelers. Financial terms were not immediately available, but at least one report said Starks' new deal was worth $26.3 million, with $10 million guaranteed.
Starks, 27, is entering his sixth season in the NFL -- he was drafted by the Steelers in 2004, and has played his entire career in Pittsburgh. Last season, Starks played in all 16 regular season games, starting 11.
He is expected to be Pittsburgh's starting left tackle in 2009.
In other Steelers news on Tuesday, cornerback Fernando Bryant announced his retirement after a 10-year career. Bryant played his first five seasons with Jacksonville, then moved to Detroit for four and finally finished up in Pittsburgh. He played just two games for the Steelers during their Super Bowl run.




