By Scott Brown

Published: Friday, March 16, 2012

Veteran nose tackle Casey Hampton agreed to a pay cut Thursday, providing the Steelers with more salary cap savings and shoring up his future with the team.

The move is expected to save the team about $3 million against the cap -- $2 million in salary and $1 million in a workout bonus that Hampton would have received this year.

Hampton had been slated to make a base salary of $4.89 million in the final year of the three-year, $21.2 million contract.

The Steelers now are about $6 million to $8 million below the 2012 salary cap.

Hampton survived a recent purge of veterans, even though he tore an ACL in the Steelers' playoff loss in Denver and is not assured of being ready for the start of next season.

Hampton, who had 32 tackles in 13 regular-season games last season, has been an anchor in the middle of the Steelers' defense for more than a decade.

General manager Kevin Colbert said last month the Steelers would bring back Hampton, a five-time Pro Bowler, for a 12th season.

1. Coach Tomlin, Steelers facing plenty of questions as OTAs start
2. Steelers reach agreement with sixth-round pick Williams
3. Steelers might be looking at a youth movement in 2013
4. Steelers rookie moves on after PSU scandal
5. Ex-Steelers QB Batch learns new form of 2-minute drill
6. Steelers’ Tomlin keeps expections in check for first-year players
7. Robinson: Steelers’ draft grades well ... for now
8. Undrafted lineman Embernate hopes he can stick with Steelers
9. Steelers’ rookie defensive back Thomas doesn’t lack motivation
10. Starks prepared to part ways with Steelers
11. Robinson: The good, bad of speaking out in NFL

Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.