But in Pittsburgh, Polamalu is irreplaceable. The 12-year veteran signed a three-year, $20 million contract extension Wednesday. The restructured deal lowers his salary cap hit by $4.5 million, after it stood at $10.8 million.

Polamalu made his eighth Pro Bowl last season, showing in 2013 that he is still a major contributor. After missing nine games in 2012 with a calf injury, he played every snap in 2013 and collected 85 tackles, intercepted two passes and forced five fumbles. The Steelers, after a surge in the second half of the season, were on the doorstep of a playoff berth.

The Steelers also restructured tight end Heath Miller's contract, NFL.com reported. He signed a two-year extension that lowers his base salary for 2014 to $1.02 million, followed by $4 million base earnings in 2015 and 2016. Equally important: Miller's cap number dropped from $9.5 million to $6.1 million.

He bounced back from a 2012 ACL injury to catch 58 passes for 593 yards and a touchdown last season.

Earlier this week, Pittsburgh outside linebacker Jason Worilds signed a one-year, $9.75 million transition tender. The team was $15.5 million over the $133 million salary cap as a result. They have until Tuesday, the start of the free-agent period, to be compliant with that figure and are already making strides with the Miller and Polamalu deals.


BEARS BOUNCE HESTER


The last man in the NFL you want to kick to seems to be getting the boot.

At least that's how Chicago Bears kick return specialist Devin Hester makes it sound based on a Facebook post Wednesday.

Hester's apparent departure from Chicago comes as no surprise. The team had reportedly made no attempts to re-sign the 31-year-old, meaning he'll hit the free-agent market next week.

The Georgia native matched Hall of Famer Deion Sanders' NFL record with his 19th return for a touchdown last season, tying his friend and mentor with an 81-yard punt return at Washington in October. It was Hester's 13th punt return for a TD, extending his own record in that category.

Hester will provide a new team with the same threat he terrorized NFC North opponents with since the Bears drafted him as a cornerback in 2006.

Although he's listed as a wide receiver and has 14 receiving touchdowns (2,807 yards) to his name, Hester likely won't be signed for his pass-catching abilities. He racked up a career-high 1,436 kickoff return yards last year when new coach Marc Trestman permanently relieved the three-time Pro Bowler of his offensive duties.


BAILEY OUT OF WORK


Champ Bailey is one of those players you just don't want to see disappear. But the Denver Broncos recognize that even a future Hall of Famer sometimes must be replaced.

Denver will release the 12-time pro-bowl cornerback, according to multiple reports, ending Bailey's 10-year tenure with the organization.

Bailey's release does not come as a surprise, though the sides did discuss other alternatives. Denver creates $10 million in cap room with the move

The Washington Redskins drafted the Georgia native with the seventh pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, and Bailey quickly established a reputation as one of the league's top defensive backs — a reputation he's not only maintained, but crystallized.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Bailey "has no interest in retiring at this time."


BILLS CANCEL ’14 TORONTO TRIP


If Toronto was looking forward to the NFL coming to Canada, the city will have to wait a while longer.

The Buffalo Bills, along with Rogers Media, announced Wednesday that there will be no game at Toronto's Rogers Centre next season.

The Bills' five-year Toronto series was supposed to run through 2017.

The released statement:

“The Buffalo Bills and Rogers are committed to delivering a first-class NFL experience to Canadians. As such, we have postponed for one year the scheduled 2014 regular season game at Rogers Centre in Toronto, and that game will return to Ralph Wilson Stadium. We will use this time to collectively evaluate opportunities and build on the foundation to enhance future games.

We are committed to continuing our partnership and have secured a robust sponsorship agreement for the 2014 season that will bring Canadian NFL fans visibility and access to the Bills. The sponsorship includes ticketing, merchandising, media exposure, and a newly created Canada House, near Ralph Wilson Stadium, that will serve as the official pre-game Canadian tailgate zone for all Bills home games.

The NFL remains very popular in Canada and we are dedicated to enriching the experience for the fans.”


BROWNS CUT BESS


The Cleveland Browns have released troubled wide receiver Davone Bess.

The expected move comes after a pattern of disturbing behavior during the offseason by Bess, who spent just one season with Cleveland after being acquired in a trade from the Miami Dolphins last April. Bess was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer at an airport in Florida, and he also posted photos of himself on social media with what appeared to be marijuana.

The 28-year-old Bess is still owed a guaranteed $3.067 million for 2014. The Browns signed him to a three-year contract extension shortly after they got him in a draft-day trade from Miami.

Beyond his off-the-field issues, Bess was plagued by dropped passes last season. He finished with a career-low 42 receptions for 362 yards and two touchdowns.


BROWNER REINSTATED, WITH A CATCH


Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner has been reinstated by the NFL after serving 2 1/2 months of a yearlong drug suspension, but won’t be immediately eligible to play, it was announced Wednesday.

If Browner complies with the terms of the substance abuse policy and program, he will be fully reinstated after serving a four-game suspension without pay at the start of the regular season and forfeiting an additional four weeks of pay. The NFL and NFL Players Association announced the decision in a joint statement a day after Browner revealed the news on Twitter. Browner was suspended indefinitely without pay by the league Dec. 18.

An unrestricted free agent who is likely to draw interest at the opening bell Tuesday, Browner was put in Stage 3 of the league’s drug program after he didn’t submit to urine tests while playing in the Canadian Football League from 2007 to 2010, according to ESPN.com. While with the Denver Broncos in 2006, he failed a test for marijuana. He argued that the violations that put him in Stage 3 occurred while he was in the CFL.

Players in Stage 2 of the program are suspended four games.

Browner’s attorney threatened to file a federal lawsuit against the NFL over the length of his client’s suspension.

The 2011 Pro Bowler will be attractive to some teams. Even while he is suspended, he can participate in offseason workouts, training camp and the preseason.


BILLS SIGN WILLIAMS TO EXTENSION


The Buffalo Bills have signed safety Aaron Williams to a four-year contract extension.

The move was announced Wednesday, and it provides the Bills some long-term stability in their secondary. Williams' signing comes at a time when Buffalo stands to lose safety Jairus Byrd, who is preparing to test the free-agent market next week.

Williams, Buffalo's second-round pick in the 2011 draft, is entering the final year of his contract. He was rewarded with the extension after successfully switching from cornerback to safety last season. In 14 games, Williams had a career-best 82 tackles and tied Byrd for the team lead with four interceptions.

Contributors: Rana L. Cash, Tadd Haislop, The Associated Press