INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have their work cut out for them this spring. General manager Kevin Colbert, who had the honor of being the first person to take the podium at the combine, knows that, even if he kept the specifics out of his remarks. At the top of his to-do list in free agency is what to do with outside linebacker Jason Worilds.
Steelers could let Jason Worilds test free agency
Pittsburgh is also still working on a new deal with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Worilds was scheduled to be a free agent last season, but didn’t make it that far. The Steelers used the transition tag to keep him in Pittsburgh last season. It’s an option at Colbert’s disposal again this year.
Last week Colbert hinted at letting Worilds test the free agent market this year, a line he maintained Wednesday morning while keeping his options open.
“He understands that if he doesn’t get tagged, which we could still do, he’s free to test the market,” Colbert said.
Worilds led the team with 7.5 sacks last season. His production and place in the team’s defense could be enough to justify the transition tag for a second straight season.
“He’s been a good player for us and we’d love to have him back.”
However, the tag doesn’t always sit well with players. It is a one-year guaranteed contract with a salary that puts the player near the top of the market for his position. It also costs a player a year of free agent eligibility. Colbert brushed aside those concerns, telling the media he had never experienced hard feelings from a player his team has tagged.
“It’s guaranteed money just for a signature,” he said.
Letting Worilds test the market is risky, but it could be advantageous for the team's salary cap. This year's free agent market is going be loaded with pass rushers. Brian Orakpo, Jason Pierre-Paul, Greg Hardy, Pernell McPhee and others all scheduled for free agency. Obviously some of those players could be tagged or re-signed, but a few are bound to be available when free agency opens March 11.
Free agency could change the look of the Steelers’ defense.
Pittsburgh also has a decision to make regarding James Harrison. The team is not expected to re-sign the 36-year-old linebacker. Harrison was a late addition in 2014, signing with the team to bolster the pass rush in late September. Some questioned his effectiveness at that age; he ended up recording 5.5 sacks and another 28 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Safety Troy Polamalu is said to be considering retirement. At 34, the safety’s best seasons are behind him. He hinted at retirement in January. The four-time first-team All Pro is under contract for two more seasons with a cap hit of $8.25 million this year and another $8 million in 2016.
Hanging over it all is a contract extension for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He's in the last year of the eight-year, $102 million contract extension he signed in 2008. Colbert was optimistic about a new deal for Roethilisberger earlier this month. Big Ben posted a career best 4,952 passing yards last season, tying a career high with 32 touchdown passes. A new deal with Roethlisberger would also give Colbert some cap relief this year, likely reducing the quarterback's $18.4 million cap charge.
Colbert said Wednesday contract talks with Roethlisberger were ongoing, but he was confident a deal would get done.
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