PITTSBURGH -- Linebacker Larry Foote, released by the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, has signed a one-year deal with his hometown Detroit Lions.

• Flashback:
  Native Son Honored: Emotional Foote Returns To Detroit Before Super Bowl (February 1, 2006)

"Larry has been a big part of our success, but unfortunately the realities of the salary cap made this decision inevitable. We wish Larry and his family nothing but the best as he moves forward with his career," said Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert.

Foote, 28, had one year remaining on a four-year deal he signed with Pittsburgh during the 2006 offseason.

Selected by Pittsburgh in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft, Foote took over the starting inside linebacker role alongside James Farrior in 2004.

He was a member of the Steelers' Super Bowl XL and XLIII championship teams.

Foote said he wanted to remain a starter -- something that wasn't likely to happen in Pittsburgh, due to the emergence of 2007 first-round draft choice Lawrence Timmons.