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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the first frenzied days of free agency doing what they always do: watching other teams reach deep into their wallets to gamble on talented players they hope will put them over the top.
That’s not how things work in Pittsburgh. The defending AFC North champions have won more Super Bowl trophies than any other franchise by focusing on keeping their own. When the fit is right, the price tag is never too high.
No wonder Ben Roethlisberger couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
The Steelers and their franchise quarterback agreed on a new 5-year contract on Friday that could keep him in black-and-gold for the rest of the decade and almost certainly the remainder of his already remarkable career.
“It’s home,” Roethlisberger said. “It’s family. As much as my wife and kids are family, so is the Rooney family. It just means a lot. I just love this place.”
One Roethlisberger insists he never intended on leaving despite speculation in the middle of a disappointing 2013 that he may have wanted out. The two-time Super Bowl winner bristled at what he called a rumor and has responded by playing the best football of his life.
The 33-year-old passed for a career-high 4,952 yards last season, breaking his own team record and tying Drew Brees for NFL lead. Roethlisberger also had 32 touchdowns and nine interceptions while taking every snap during the regular season. He hasn’t missed a start since 2012 while developing a rhythm in Todd Haley’s dynamic offense.
It’s why team president Art Rooney II made locking down Roethlisberger to a long-term deal was at the top of the list when the new league year began on Tuesday.
“Certainly a lot of things happened around the league,” Rooney said. “For us there was nothing more important than getting this done. We’re really happy with the way the first week of free agency ended.”
Financial details were not immediately available, though Roethlisberger is now almost certainly one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. The new contract replaces the eight-year, $102 million deal he signed in 2008. Roethlisberger originally had a base salary of $11.6 million with a cap hit of $18.35 million for 2015.
McFadden set to join Cowboys
IRVING, Texas — Darren McFadden will get a chance to replace NFL rushing champ DeMarco Murray in Dallas after the former high draft pick never could find a dominant form in Oakland.
The Cowboys and McFadden agreed on a contract Friday, a day after Murray bolted for NFC East rival Philadelphia on a big contract that Dallas owner Jerry Jones said he couldn’t match because of the strain it would have put on the salary cap.
McFadden had seven mostly disappointing seasons in Oakland after the Raiders drafted him fourth overall in 2008. His agent, Ian Greengross, tweeted Friday that McFadden was joining the Cowboys. The deal is reportedly for two years and worth up to $5.9 million.
Murray signed a five-year, $42 million contract with the Eagles on Thursday, with $21 million guaranteed. Jones said Murray would have remained in Dallas without salary cap restraints.
Marshall embraces opportunity with ‘hungry’ Jets
NEW YORK — Brandon Marshall knew he was on his way out of Chicago.
He heard all the rumors. Things got rocky with the Bears last season, so a change appeared inevitable.
“I kind of felt it over the last two months,” Marshall said during a conference call Friday. “So my agent and I just prepared ourselves emotionally and also from the business standpoint for that day. So, it really wasn’t unexpected.”
AP sources: Harvin to Bills on deal
Percy Harvin is rejoining Rex Ryan, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.
Two people familiar with the deal tell The Associated Press on Friday that the wide receiver-kick returner is headed to Buffalo. He was released this month by the Jets after playing for Ryan last season in New York.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract was not officially announced.
The Jets acquired the versatile Harvin from Seattle last October, but he was due $10.5 million in base salary in 2015. Harvin had 29 catches for 350 yards and a touchdown in eight games with the Jets after then-general manager John Idzik acquired him, calling the move “a potential coup” for New York. Harvin also ran for 110 yards on 22 carries, and averaged 24.8 yards on 20 kickoff returns.
Saints, Spiller agree on 4-year deal
METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints and free agent running back C.J. Spiller agreed to a four-year contract on Friday, a move that bolstered a backfield which also includes Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson.
Spiller, 27, has spent his first five NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills, showing the ability to pile up yards as both a ball carrier and receiver out of the backfield.
His best season came in 2012, when he rushed for 1,244 yards and six touchdowns to go with 459 yards and two TDs receiving. He followed that up with 933 yards rushing and 185 yards receiving in 2013, but played in only nine games last season because of a shoulder injury, finishing with 300 yards rushing and 125 yards receiving.
Financial terms were not released.
Rams sign Fairley, try to explain Bradford deal
ST. LOUIS — Momentarily, the Nick at the microphone in St. Louis was not who everyone expected.
The St. Louis Rams agreed to terms with defensive tackle Nick Fairley on a one-year free agent deal, bringing in Fairley to a news conference as a brief surprise before introducing new quarterback Nick Foles.
“We all know why we’re here,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher began. “This is a special time for you to get an opportunity to meet Nick. So let’s bring Nick in.”
Into the auditorium packed mostly with Rams employees and assistant coaches walked Fairley, not Foles.
“How you all doing?” Fairley asked.
“Nick Fairley needs to go upstairs and sign his contract, he’ll be available to you later,” Fisher added.
“Now we want to introduce you to the other Nick.”