Mar 9, 2015 4 min read

The Steelers have officially sheared The Beard.

Pittsburgh released longtime defensive end Brett Keisel Monday as part of a flurry of moves in preparation for the opening of the NFL free agency period, which begins at 4 p.m. today.

The team also re-signed outside linebacker Arthur Moats and tight end Matt Spaeth and tendered offer sheets to its three restricted free agents, Robert Golden, Antwon Blake and Will Johnson.

But it was the move to release Keisel, a 13-year veteran who played in three Super Bowls, winning two, that was the biggest transaction of the day.

“Brett has played a major role in our success during his 13 years in Pittsburgh,” said Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. “We appreciate his efforts and we are grateful for what he helped us accomplish, including two Super Bowl championships. We will always consider him an all-time Pittsburgh Steeler.”

Keisel’s release is just another in the long list of moves the Steelers have been forced to make in recent years, bidding goodbye to the players who helped the team win Super Bowls in 2006 and 2009 and reach the Super Bowl in 2011.

Veteran corner Ike Taylor, another member of that group, will be an unrestricted free agent today and will not be retained. Linebacker James Harrison also will be an unrestricted free agent, though the Steelers could bring him back later this summer.

Meanwhile, the Steelers still await a decision regarding the future of safety Troy Polamalu, whom the team would like to retire to avoid releasing the long-time face of the franchise.

“We will continue to communicate with Troy and his representatives regarding his future,” Colbert said.

A seventh-round draft pick in 2002, Keisel became a contributor by 2005 as a rotational defensive lineman. He was a full-time starter from 2006 and appeared in 156 regular season games, making 408 tackles and 30 sacks.

Keisel became a free agent following the 2013 season and his career in Pittsburgh appeared to be over. But the team re-signed him to a two-year deal in August to provide depth at defensive end. He appeared in 12 games, recording 17 tackles, one sack and an interception before a triceps injury landed him on injured reserve in late November.

“It’s been awesome! I love yinz,” the fan favorite who was known for his long, flowing beard, tweeted Monday.

By releasing Keisel, the Steelers cleared $1.5 million in salary cap space for this season.

His release leaves quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, tight end Heath Miller, long snapper Greg Warren and Polamalu as the only remaining players still under contract who played on all three of the recent Super Bowl teams.

The Steelers used money freed up by Keisel’s release to re-sign Moats and Spaeth, two key backups who were set to become free agents today.

Moats, 26, joined the Steelers last season as an unrestricted free agent from Buffalo. He received a three-year deal to remain with the Steelers.

Moats appeared in 16 games in 2014, making 10 starts, and recorded 23 tackles, a career-high four sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

His re-signing was considered critical because fellow outside linebackers Jason Worilds and Harrison also can become unrestricted free agents today.

Spaeth, 31, is in his second stint with the Steelers, who selected him in the third round of the 2007 draft. He received a two-year deal.

One of the best run-blocking tight ends in the NFL, Spaeth spent his first four seasons with the Steelers before playing in Chicago in 2011 and 2012. He appeared in 15 games last season, making eight starts, and had three receptions for 46 yards and one touchdown.

The Steelers made the lowest tender offers to their three restricted free agents, meaning they will earn $1.539 million in 2015 if they do not receive an offer from another team.

By making a tender offer, the Steelers retain the right to match any free agent deal they would receive.

Golden, a safety, was the special teams captain in 2014. If Polamalu does retire, he would likely be the top backup safety next season.

Blake was signed in 2013 after being released by Jacksonville. A top special teams player, he also saw time as the nickel cornerback in 2014, appearing in 16 games and making one start.

Johnson has been the starting fullback since the Steelers signed the former West Virginia star as an undrafted rookie in 2012.