For the first time in nine years, Troy Polamalu will be paired with a safety other than Ryan Clark.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms with former Carolina Panthers safety Mike Mitchell, according to multiple reports.
The 26-year-old safety confirmed the agreement via Twitter:
Widely ridiculed as a second-round "reach" pick by legendary Raiders owner Al Davis in 2009, Mitchell turned his career around by finishing only behind Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis in total tackles with the Panthers last season.
An upgrade on the aging free-agent Clark, Mitchell offers more range and packs more punch as a hitter. The question is whether he can sustain that level of play without benefit of Carolina's stacked front seven.
In the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys study the free agency picture with the help of NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.