in 2003, he was on the injured list for the entire season after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury. he returned in the 2004 season with 13 appearances and nine tackles. the following year, he appeared in all 16 games recording 33 tackles and three sacks, the first of his nfl career. after the departure of kimo von oelhoffen via free agency for the new york jets in march 2006, brett signed a new four-year contract with the steelers worth a reported 14 million dollars. that season, he won the 1st team position at right defensive end and played in all 16 games making 55 tackles and 5.5 sacks, a career-high. in 2007, he made 16 appearances recording 39 tackles and two sacks.