The agent of free safety Will Allen, Blake Baratz, tweeted Wednesday his client re-signed with the Steelers, and will play his 11th season in the NFL.
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There was no confirmation from the team, nor were there any terms released, but it has been written here Allen would be a top target of the team to re-sign from their own internal free agents.
Shamarko Thomas was drafted in the fourth round in 2013, and while his style of play suggests he's more of a safety who excels at the line of scrimmage, he could end up being the team's starting free safety in 2014. But simply handing him that job without any competition would be a disservice to the team and to Thomas's development.
Allen has excelled in a back-up and spot-starting role for the Steelers the last two seasons, including an impressive run of play in 2012 when he filled in for the injured Troy Polamalu. He saw time last year after Thomas's injury, even leading to a critical interception in Pittsburgh's thrilling victory over the Detroit Lions.