PITTSBURGH -- Wide receiver Hines Ward apparently will get his wish to finish his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ward, about to enter the final season of his contract, agreed Saturday to a contract extension that will pay him a lower salary than the $5.8 million he was to make this season but will make up the money in a signing bonus.

The deal was being finalized Saturday between the Steelers and Ward's agent, Eugene Parker, but is expected to be worth about $22 million over four seasons, although only a portion of that would be guaranteed.

The Steelers were only about $2 million under the salary cap last week, not enough money to sign their draft picks, and they have been working to create cap room since signing All-Pro linebacker James Harrison to a $51.75 million, six-year contract.

In addition to reaching terms with Ward, they restructured cornerback Ike Taylor's contract for the second year in a row. Taylor will make less in base salary than the $3.5 million he was to make but he will be paid a signing bonus that can be spread out for cap purposes over the length of the contract.

Last week, the 33-year-old Ward said he hoped to work out a new contract so he could end his career in Pittsburgh, where he has won two Super Bowls and played in four AFC championship games.

The leading receiver in franchise history with 800 receptions for 9,780 yards and 72 touchdowns, Ward - a four-time Pro Bowl player - was the MVP of the Steelers' 21-10 victory over Seattle in the Super Bowl in February 2006.

Ward had his best season since 2003 as the Steelers won the Super Bowl last season, making 81 catches for 1,043 yards and seven touchdowns, though he was slowed in the NFL championship game by a sprained right knee.

When the Steelers began offseason workouts last week, Ward said he didn't want to be one of those players who spends all or most of his career with one team but then finishes his career with a different team. He cited former teammate Jerome Bettis as a player who ended his career the right way, retiring after the Steelers won the Super Bowl three years ago.

"I don't want to put on another uniform," said Ward, who signed a $27.5 million, five-year contract in 2005. "I want to go down as one of the better players to wear the black and gold."

Ward has made more than twice as many catches as any receiver in Steelers history, except Hall of Famer John Stallworth (537 catches). Louis Lipps (358) is third in team history with 442 fewer catches than Ward has made.

Ward's contract extension was first reported by ESPN.com.

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