By John Harris, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Unrestricted free agent Nick Eason, who started five games in 2009, will re-sign Thursday with the Steelers.

"He wanted to stay in Pittsburgh because of his love of the city and the team," agent David Wyatt said Wednesday night.

Wyatt said Eason, a defensive end who also visited the Arizona Cardinals, agreed to terms and the Steelers sent a contract to Georgia for him to sign.

Eason, who turns 30 next month, has served in a backup capacity the past three seasons. With veteran Travis Kirschke expected to retire, Eason's role could expand, along with Ziggy Hood, last year's first-round draft pick, and second-year-player Sunny Harris.

Eason totaled 16 tackles in eight games last season.
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By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

The opportunity to start elsewhere has led to the departure of the Steelers' third all-time leading rusher and leaves the team with depth issues at running back.

Willie Parker, who had been the Steelers' feature back before losing his starting job last season, signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins Friday.

A two-time Pro Bowler with the Steelers, Parker rushed for 5,378 yards from 2004 to 2009, but the emergence of Rashard Mendenhall last season made him expendable.

Parker joins a crowded backfield in Washington, which also has former Pro Bowlers in Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson. But Parker's agent said he will be given the chance to start for the Redskins.
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By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Defensive end Aaron Smith, one of the more respected players on the Steelers, said he doesn't expect Ben Roethlisberger to be treated differently when the embattled quarterback starts working out with the team again.

Roethlisberger, who is under investigation for sexual assault in Milledgeville, Ga., is not expected to attend offseason workouts this week, so his presence doesn't cause any distractions.

Starters were scheduled to report yesterday for the voluntary training sessions that began for the team's other players March 15.
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By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

The Steelers and backup quarterback Charlie Batch have agreed to a two-year contract.

Batch, a Homestead native, gives the Steelers another quarterback and added insurance given starter Ben Roethlisberger's uncertain situation.

Roethlisberger has been accused of sexual assault stemming from a March 5 incident in Milledgeville, Ga. He is the subject of a criminal investigation. Roethlisberger, who has been accused of sexual assault twice since last July, could also be punished by the NFL for violating its personal conduct policy.

Batch, 35, played in one game last season while filling in for the injured Roethlisberger.
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By Scott Brown, TribLive Sports

Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 1,108 yards and seven touchdowns in 2009. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made it clear to the former first-round pick that he expects him to build on what Mendenhall did in his second NFL season.

“He’s a very talented guy,” Tomlin said this week at the NFL owners meetings. “I think he’s capable of much more to be quite honest with you. I’ve been pretty clear with him in term of that with our exit interview.”

Mendenhall has clearly established himself as the Steelers’ feature back. What is less clear is how the Steelers’ situation at running back shakes out behind Mendenhall.
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