injuring his hamstring the previous week. In Week 8, he collected a season-high six combined tackles and deflected a pass during a 38–31 win against the New Orleans Saints. On December 19, 2006, Hampton was named to the 2007 Pro Bowl. He completed the season with 40 combined tackles (25 solo) and a pass deflection in 15 games and 15 starts. 2007 On January 5, 2007, Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach Bill Cowher announced his retirement. The Pittsburgh Steelers hired Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin. Tomlin retained defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and named Hampton the starting nose tackle to start the regular season. Hampton was inactive during the Steelers' Week 5 victory against the Seattle Seahawks due to a hamstring injury. On December 16, 2007, Hampton recorded a career-high eight combined tackles during a 29–22 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15. Hampton finished the season with 33 combined tackles (17 solo) and was credited with half a sack in 15 games and 15 starts. 2008 Hampton, Kiesel, and Smith returned as the starting defensive linemen for the third consecutive season. He missed three consecutive games (Weeks 4–7) due to a groin injury. Hampton returned in Week 8 and recorded a season-high six combined tackles during a 21–14 loss to the New York Giants. On November 30, 2008, he made two solo tackles and sacked quarterback matt Cassel during the Steelers' 33–10 win at the New England Patriots. He finished the season in 2008 with 22 combined tackles (13 solo), a pass deflection, and a sack in 13 games and 13 starts. The Pittsburgh Steelers finished first in the AFC North with a 12–4 record and earned a playoff berth with a first round bye. The Steelers reached Super Bowl XLIII after defeating the San Diego Chargers 35-24 in the AFC Divisional Round and the Baltimore Ravens 23–14 in the AFC Championship Game. On February 1, 2009, Hampton started in Super Bowl XLIII and made two combined tackles as the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27–23. 2009 Hampton started in the Pittsburgh Steelers' season-opener against the Tennessee Titans and collected a season-high five combined tackles in their 13–10 victory. In Week 3, he made two solo tackles and sacked quarterback Carson Palmer during a 23–20 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals. On December 20, 2009, Hampton tied his season-high of five combined tackles and was credited with half a sack