Hampton says he’ll ink long-term even with the franchise tag on him

It looks like Casey Hampton is starting to realize that saying in Pittsburgh is the best thing for he and his career. Today in the Tribune-Review, it says that Hampton will ink a long term deal with the Steelers even if they put the franchise tag on him:

The Steelers may have no choice but to use the franchise tag on nose tackle Casey Hampton but the good news for the Steelers is Hampton seems to have softened his stance toward the tag, which the five-time Pro Bowler said he didn’t want used on him a little less than a month ago. His agent, Brian Overstreet, said Tuesday that Hampton, an unrestricted free agent, is willing to sign a long-term deal with the Steelers even if they tag him, the deadline for doing so is 4 p.m. Thursday and prevent him from hitting the open market. Overstreet said the two sides have been working toward a new contract for Hampton. “In negotiations all you can do is take people at their word and the Steelers committed to us that they want to get a deal done long term,” Overstreet said. “All we can hope is they’re serious about it. Both sides are working real hard to get it done and hopefully it happens. He wants to be there and wants a long-term deal.”