Pittsburgh Steelers Sign Safety Will Allen

Just one day after the Pittsburgh Steelers lost Troy Polamalu to retirement, they have found a back-up safety option. According to the reports, the Steelers have resigned Will Allen.

Allen, a 12-year pro out of Ohio State, has played in 74 games for the Steelers from 2010 through to 2014. In 2013, he had a one-year stint with the Dallas Cowboys.

During last season, the 32-year-old recorded 36 combined tackles with one forced fumble. Overall, throughout his NFL career, Allen had amassed a total of 329 tackles six interceptions and six forced fumbles. He also started for Polamalu when Polamalu was injured. Even if Allen does not get Polamalu's spot, he will most likely take on a mentoring role.

Even though the Steelers have resigned Allen, they still need a strong safety. They can hope that Shamarko Thomas, 24, steps it up this year or they could be interested in adding a safety from the upcoming NFL draft.

"Thomas figures to get the first crack at replacing Polamalu for a number of reasons -- not the least of which is that Polamalu has spent the past two years grooming Thomas to do just that," ESPN.com's Scott Brown wrote. "Polamalu gladly accepted Thomas as a protégé after the Steelers used a fourth-round pick on the Syracuse product in 2013.

Thomas is expected to start in place of Polamalu.