13-year veteran wants to 'finish' career with Steelers

The Steelers have put a lot of focus on building up their trenches this offseason, and a 13-year veteran nose tackle said he wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh.

Tyson Alualu, who is 36, is still a free agent after his contract expired with the Steelers following the 2022 season. He does not want to close the door on returning to Pittsburgh.

"I'm preparing like I will play this season," Alualu said. "I can't tell where it's gonna be. But in a perfect world, I would love to be back with the Steelers and finish here."

Alualu didn't miss a game in 2022 but had just 13 tackles and half a sack after being demoted to second team for Montravius Adams to start early in the year.

Adams is still on the Steelers roster along with rookie Keeanu Benton and free-agent additions Breiden Fehoko and Armon Watts. Even if Pittsburgh were to bring back Alualu, it's no guarantee he would make the 53-man roster.

However, Alualu is aware he will be a role player on any team at this point of his career. The Steelers used him as a rotational player in 2022, and he was able to stay healthy after suffering a serious leg injury in 2021.

It doesn't feel likely that a reunion between Alualu and Pittsburgh is going to happen, but with summer camps just beginning, an injury could easily change that.