Pittsburgh Steelers place Troy Polamalu on reserve/retired list

Legendary Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has decided to retire from the NFL after 12 seasons roaming the secondary for the Steelers. The team made it official by placing Polamalu on the reserve/retired list. Before you read this and think this would be filed under the 'Captain Obvious' articles, understand why the team would make such a move with Polamalu.

By putting Polamalu on the reserve/retired list, the Steelers retain Polamalu's rights should he ever choose to return to action. Also, he no longer counts against the team's roster. If he ever wanted to return to the NFL, the Steelers would have to decide whether to add him to the roster or to release him to free agency.

Not suggesting Polamalu would be the type of player to back out of his initial decision to retire, but fans were grieving the retirement of James Harrison last season, and we all know how that ended up, with Harrison preparing to play a full season in 2015.

Chalk this move up to one of those non-publicized, but smart, decisions by the Steelers and their front office. If Dick LeBeau and the Tennessee Titans call Polamalu in a pinch this season, the Steelers will own the rights of the safety. Although the situation will be unlikely to come to fruition, it is worth noting the move at this point in the offseason.