Ike Taylor hopes to stay with Steelers once he retires
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor has not made a decision about playing next season, but wants to stay with the franchise once he does retire, Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Taylor, 35, was limited to five games this season after breaking his right forearm in Week 3. He returned for a pair of games late in the season before sitting out the rest of the year.
He has spent his entire career with the Steelers since being a fourth-round pick in the 2003 draft. Taylor said he could play for several more seasons if he wanted to.
"I am very cool with this being my last year," Taylor said. "As far as putting the cleats up, I have years left. I have a lot of years left. I am not ready to make that final decision, but I am cool hanging my cleats up if it comes to it."
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Taylor, who has won a pair of Super Bowls with the Steelers, said he has his eyes on staying in Pittsburgh once his playing days are finished.
"As far as the Steelers organization, it doesn't have to be with the cleats anymore," Taylor said. "I can be in the office. I can be at the bottom and work my way up. I can be an assistant. I don't mind working my way from the bottom up."
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Pass defense was a weakness for the Steelers this season. Pittsburgh finished No. 27 in passing yards allowed and No. 25 in interceptions.
The Steelers won the AFC North with an 11-5 record. They lost in the Wild Card round to the Baltimore Ravens.
- Paul Palladino
