The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced that two of their restricted free agents have signed their one-year tender offers.

Offensive linemen Chris Kemoeatu and Trai Essex inked their deals, and thus are now under contract with the team and obligated to participate in all mandatory offseason activities.

Both could have signed offer sheets deep into April.  Instead, they’ll play with the Steelers and be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2009.

Essex received the low tender, which would have given the team a third-round pick as compensation if someone else had signed him to an offer sheet, and if the Steelers had opted not to match it.  Kemoeatu’s tender was never reported, and it’s possible that he received the first-round or the second-round restriction.