Literally hours after news surfaced Brett Keisel could be headed to the Arizona Cardinals to serve as defensive line depth, it has been announced he has reached an agreement to play with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014.
Da Beard decided to turn down the Cardinals in favour of coming back to the only team he has ever known since being drafted in 2002. Long a fan favourite, the twitterverse is predictably buzzing with the news of Keisel's return.
@bkeisel99 @steelers I am unbelievably ridiculously super excited about the news!! DA BEARD IS BACK!!
— Dan Garman (@Garman81) August 19, 2014
This guy speaks for a large portion of the fan base when he says he is unbelievably, ridiculously, super excited to have the veteran defensive end back. See... I told you he's a fan favourite.
If healthy and able to play 30 snaps/GM Brett Keisel certainly upgrades #Steelers along D Line. Was biggest question mark.
— David Todd (@DavidMTodd) August 19, 2014
Keisel will bring a veteran presence to a defensive line that projected to have little of it in 2014. Cameron Heyward and Steve McLendon, two prohibitive starters on the defensive line, have less than two years combined experience starting in the Steelers defense. The other defensive end position will be manned by either Stephon Tuitt or Cam Thomas, neither of whom have been in the Steelers system longer than a few months. Keisel has been living it for 12 years.
Brett Keisel being signed indicates that the Steelers do not believe Stephon Tuitt is not ready yet.
— John Miceli (@JohnMiceli15) August 19, 2014
Was signing Brett Keisel back always the plan, or is this an indication the Steelers coaching staff concerned with the quality of depth on the Steelers roster? Is it a reflection on any of the players on the roster just now? That's pretty hard to say. Rookie Stephon Tuitt and free agent acquisition Cam Thomas have had reasonably good showings in camp and in preseason, and behind them is group of young men currently being led by UDFA Josh Mauro that are battling for a small number of roster spots. Perhaps this is a sign that Tuitt isn't as far along as some would want to believe, or that the depth behind him and Thomas isn't up to standard.
Yes!! The #Steelers have welcomed home my guy @bkeisel99 Glad my brother is back in the locker room for another one!
— Robert Golden (@R0bG0lden) August 19, 2014
Safety Robert Golden welcomes back his old teammate for another season. Keisel is as popular in the locker room as he is in the stands.
I am very excited to finish what I started in 2002 with the @steelers. Time to get to work!! #SteelerNation #DaBeardNation
— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) August 19, 2014
Da Beard is ready to get back to work...
There's no place like home.
— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) August 19, 2014
But there's a little time for sentimentality.