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. They have been working to create cap room since signing All-Pro linebacker James Harrison to a $51.75 million, six-year contract.