Steelers GM Kevin Colbert tells Jason La Canfora that they’ve spoke to free agent OLB Jason Worilds and told him that they would like to have him back next year.
However, Colbert added that Worilds may need to gauge the open market first to determine his worth.
This probably isn’t a bad strategy for the Steelers. In the event someone is willing to offer Worilds a huge contract, the Steelers can pass and likely collect a compensatory draft pick. But if the market for Worilds only produces reasonable offers, Pittsburgh can gauge their cap situation and either match the offer or possibly improve upon it.
Colbert mentioned last week that his preference would be to avoid the franchise or transition tag.
“We never like to use the tag,” Colbert said, per Mark Kaboly. “It is not our preference.”
According to Colbert, Worilds is still an “ascending” player coming off of a good season.
“He had a good year for us,” Colbert said. “He’s still a young, ascending player. I don’t think you’ve seen the best of Jason Worilds.”
Worilds recently came up as speculative option for the Titans, now that they’ve added Dick LeBeau to their defensive coaching staff.
Worilds, 26, appeared in all 16 games for the Steelers this past season and recorded 59 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one interception, a forced fumble and two recoveries.
Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 11 outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense out of 46 qualifying players. We have Worilds listed as the No. 14 player in our Top 75 Free Agents list.
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