PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have designated offensive tackle Max Starks as the team's franchise player for the second time in as many seasons.
The Steelers' one-year tender on Thursday was worth $8.451 million, the average of the top five highest-paid tackles in the NFL. Starks signed the deal Saturday.
Starks hopes the franchise tag leads to a long-term commitment.
"That is what we are working on now, trying to work on something along those lines," he told Steelers.com.
Starks will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2009 season, unless both sides agree on a long-term contract before the middle of July.
Starks earned just under $7 million as the team's franchise player in 2008.
Despite receiving the franchise tag, he started the season on the bench before taking over for an injured Marvel Smith.
Smith, an unrestricted free agent, will likely not return next season, making Starks the team's incumbent starting left tackle.
Starks, a two-time Super Bowl champion, was selected from the University of Florida in the 2004 NFL Draft.
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