The deal includes a $1.1 million signing bonus and locks up Miller through the 2006 season. He already was signed through 2001, when he will make $650,000.

Miller is entering his sixth year with the Steelers and has developed into one of the top punters in the NFL. He has averaged 43.4 yards per punt since entering the league and has had 130 punts downed inside the 20 in his first five seasons.

Last season, Miller averaged 43.8 yards per punt and tied his career high of 34 punts downed inside the 20, which ranked second in the NFL. Miller, who will turn 31 next month, was selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl after the 1999 season. In 374 career attempts, he has had one punt blocked.

Miller spent two seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Baltimore Stallions before catching on with the Steelers in 1996, when he signed as a free agent.

He was one of several veterans with one year remaining on his contract with whom the Steelers are negotiating possible extensions. The others are Earl Holmes, Chad Scott, Dewayne Washington and Jason Gildon. Miller was the first to sign an extension.

The Steelers' new chief negotiator Omar Kahn signed most of the rookies before turning his attention to the veterans.