NFL ROUNDUP : Steelers Pay the Price and Keep O’Donnell

The Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday agreed to match Tampa Bay’s offer to Neil O’Donnell, meaning the quarterback will stay in Pittsburgh for three seasons and become the team’s highest-paid player.

The Steelers had a midnight deadline to match the Tampa Bay offer, which O’Donnell accepted last week when he signed a Buccaneer offer sheet.

“We’re excited that Neil will be with us,” Steeler President Dan Rooney said. “We wanted to make a commitment to him, and we wanted him to make a commitment to the Steelers.”

Said O’Donnell: “I didn’t want to leave Pittsburgh. I feel very comfortable there . . . I’m glad I’m not leaving.”

O’Donnell led the Steelers to an 11-5 record and the AFC Central title last season. He completed 185 of 313 passes for 2,283 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The offer from Tampa Bay--reportedly about $8.2 million over three years--is about double the salary of the highest-paid Steeler player, cornerback Rod Woodson.

*

Free agent Reggie White has narrowed his list to three NFC teams.

A source close to White told The Milwaukee Journal that White had narrowed his choices to San Francisco, Washington and Green Bay. The 49ers were said to be the favorites.

The Washington Post reported that the Packers had made the highest bid--a four-year contract worth $17.2 million. White is expected to decide by Sunday.

The 49ers, meanwhile, reportedly are considering offering a five-year deal worth between $19 million and $20 million, with a signing bonus of between $4 million and $5 million.

*

Wide receiver Mike Sherrard signed a three-year, $4.8 million contract with the New York Giants, bolstering one of the team’s weak points from last season.

Sherrard, 29, comes to New York from San Francisco, where he played two seasons after an injury-plagued pro career that began when he was Dallas’ first-round draft choice in 1986.

He had 38 catches for 607 yards and no touchdowns last season.