34-year-old Keisel preparing for what could be his last season with Steelers

LATROBE, Pa. – Brett Keisel realizes this could be his final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the only NFL team the veteran defensive end has ever played for.

Keisel, who is in the final year of his contract, has no plans to retire at season's end, and the reliable 34-year-old doesn't plan to let those emotions affect his play on the field either.

Age hasn't caught up to the energetic Keisel, who is playing the best football of his career. Keisel started 30 of the previous 32 games, finishing with 58 tackles and a career-best 40 quarterback pressures last year. He earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2010 and was named a third alternate the following year.

The Steelers are in the process of instituting a youth movement on defense.