With the clock ticking toward the March 1 start of the free agent signing period, the Pittsburgh Steelers have moved to retain a player who could be a key performer in 2002, reaching a contract agreement in principle with backup linebacker and special teams standout John Fiala.

ESPN.com's John Clayton reports the deal was for $3.3 million over three years, including a $575,000 signing bonus. The deal could increase to $2 million in any season Fiala becomes a full-time starter. Thus, potentially, the deal could be worth $6 million over three seasons.

While the retention of Fiala might not appear significant to some, keeping the four-year veteran was a priority, given that the Steelers could lose starting inside linebacker Earl Holmes as an unrestricted free agent. Fiala probably would replace Holmes if he departs, and it is believed the new contract is rife with incentives that will reward him if he is the starter.

The Steelers have five other potential unrestricted free agents -- strongside linebacker Jason Gildon, reserve cornerbacks Jason Simmons and Deshea Townsend, backup safety Myron Bell and No. 3 wide receiver Bobby Shaw -- and hope to keep all of them. It could be difficult, though, to hang on to both Holmes and Gildon, given their projected price tags.

According to the latest NFL Players Association documents, the Steelers are about $8.5 million under the spending limit of $71.101 million.

Fiala, 28, has been a special teams standout in Pittsburgh and played well in replacing an injured Holmes (knee) in the AFC championship game last month. In the first start of his NFL career, he totaled 11 tackles and had one pass defensed, while also playing on all special teams units. Fiala led the Steelers in special teams tackles three of the last four seasons.

The former University of Washington star entered the league as a sixth-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 1997 draft. He was released by Miami and spent most of that year on Pittsburgh's practice squad before securing a roster spot in 1998.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.