Bill Cowher is no longer negotiating a contract extension with the Steelers, making this the first time since he was hired in 1992 that he’ll start the season with only two years left on his deal to coach Pittsburgh.

The team wants to renew talks with Cowher at season’s end, but announced Tuesday it wants Cowher to focus on coaching the returning Super Bowl champions for now. Pittsburgh has a long-standing policy of not negotiating contracts during the season.

Cowher, whose current deal runs through 2007, has been talking with the Steelers about an extension since shortly after the Steelers won the Super Bowl in February.

Cowher said several times during the offseason he prefers not to work on a year-to-year basis, a stance he adopted following the Steelers’ 6-10 season in 2003 after winning 23 games the previous two.

Though Cowher is only 49, he is beginning his 15th season in Pittsburgh and is the NFL’s most tenured coach with a single team. The Steelers have had only two coaches since 1969: Cowher and four-time Super Bowl champion Chuck Noll.

“I remain optimistic and hopeful that we will be able to conclude a contract extension which will keep Bill coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers for many more years,” team president Art Rooney II said. “However, we have all agreed that at this time we will continue those conversations after this season so that Bill’s focus, and the focus of the entire organization can be on the excitement and challenge of defending the Super Bowl championship.”

Jets-Browns

Running back Lee Suggs failed his physical with New York on Tuesday, voiding his trade from Cleveland.

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher times hang times for punts at practice. Cowher and the team said Tuesday they weren't going to continue to negotiate a contract extension.

Suggs, who has had a myriad of injuries throughout his four-year career, was brought in to help bolster the group of backs struggling without the injured Curtis Martin. Now, he is headed back to the Browns. Cornerback Derrick Strait, who was sent to Cleveland in the deal made Monday, returns to New York.

Cardinals

Matt Leinart reported to camp after his long holdout and found out he’ll be playing Saturday night at New England.

Late Monday night, Leinart signed a six-year contract that guarantees the former Heisman Trophy winner $14 million. Leinart, who could earn as much as $51 million, was the last first-round draft pick to sign.

Chargers

Kick returner Darren Sproles will miss the season because of a broken left leg. Sproles, who played his college ball at Kansas State, was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, a day after having surgery on his fractured fibula.

Vikings

Rookie linebacker Chad Greenway, Minnesota’s first-round draft pick, is out for the season, the result of a knee injury he sustained in Minnesota’s first exhibition game.

Panthers

All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith looked sharp in his return to practice after missing more than two weeks with a strained hamstring.

Colts

Kicker Adam Vinatieri, the Indianapolis Colts’ biggest offseason acquisition, missed Tuesday morning’s practice with a sprained left ankle.

Redskins

Cornerback Shawn Springs underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a muscle tear in his lower abdomen and is expected to be sidelined three to six weeks.

Bengals

Cincinnati waived defensive tackle Matthias Askew, one of five Bengals accused of breaking the law in the past three months.

A 2004 fourth-round draft choice out of Michigan State, Askew has been plagued by injuries.

Lions

Charles Rogers, the struggling Lions receiver, sat on a stationary bike, watching practice.

Rogers sat out both workouts Tuesday with a sore knee, the latest in a long list of setbacks since he joined the team.