Various reports are surfacing that the Steelers have given veteran center Justin Hartwig permission to seek a trade or be released. Hartwig was passed on the depth chart by rookie first round draft pick Maurkice Pouncey and has worked as the 2nd team center in the 3rd and 4th preseason games against the Broncos and the Panthers. Before the start of the 2009 season, Hartwig signed a four-year, $10 million contract that included a $2.1 million signing bonus. If a team were to trade for Hartwig they would inherit the contract or get Hartwig to agree to restructure prior to a trade. Hartwig signed with the Steelers on March 25, 2008 as a free agent and took over the starting job from then center Sean Mahan. In other related news, 2009 3rd round draft pick, Kraig Urbik, was told he was being released in the final cut downs.
