Terms were not immediately available, but Polamalu's agent, Marvin Demoff, was seeking a signing bonus in the $15 million to $18 million range — far more than the Steelers have given any player.

Polamalu's signing was the second major contract deal by the Steelers in two days. They agreed to a five-year contract Sunday with outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons, their first-round draft pick, that guarantees him $12 million and could be worth as much as $15 million.

Polamalu was a first-team All-Pro player when the Steelers won the Super Bowl during the 2005 season and was a second team All-Pro in 2004. He made the Pro Bowl the last three seasons and, besides being known for the flowing black hair that streams out of his helmet, is widely regarded as one of the league's top defensive players.

His contract was announced minutes before the Steelers officially opened their first training camp under new coach Mike Tomlin with conditioning tests, a much-dreaded drill that former coach Bill Cowher previously held until the second day of camp.