PITTSBURGH (AP) -The Pittsburgh Steelers decided not to pursue a free agent running back to complement Willie Parker, choosing instead to re-sign Najeh Davenport to a $2 million, two-year contract.

Davenport joined the Steelers a game into last season - after Green Bay released him - and eventually became Parker's backup. The 6-foot-1, 247-pound Davenport gained 221 yards on 60 carries.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said recently he preferred using a two-back system like many other teams are employing, creating speculation the Steelers might look elsewhere for Parker's backup.

Davenport, who would have been a free agent if the Steelers had not re-signed him, receives a $405,000 signing bonus and a 2007 salary of $595,000. He will make $1 million in 2008.

Davenport was a fourth-round pick by Green Bay in 2002 after playing in college at Miami. His best season was in 2003, when he ran for 420 yards on 77 carries and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. He has 1,289 yards in five NFL seasons.

Parker was the NFL's sixth-leading rusher last season with 1,494 yards. He had 337 of the Steelers' 469 rushing attempts.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.