Troy Polamalu signed a five-year pact on Monday to remain with the Pittsburgh Steelers that made him the team's highest paid player and the best paid safety in the National Football League.
Polamalu, 26, a Pro Bowler each season since becoming Pittsburgh's starting strong safety in 2004, will earn $33 million including bonuses of over $15 million, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
Polamalu had one year left on the contract he signed as a rookie out of University of Southern California and could have become a free agent after next season.
The short, powerful player noted for the thick, black hair that flows out of the back of his helmet, has 301 tackles, 10 sacks and 10 interceptions for Pittsburgh, using his speed to confuse quarterbacks by shifting field position at the snap.
"Troy Polamalu is a very special football player who has been a key ingredient to our success over the past few seasons," Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement.