Scott Brown of ESPN.com believes the Steelers could have long-term extension in place for OLB Jason Worilds and C Maurkice Pouncey before the start of the 2014 season.
Brown writes that if the Steelers and Worilds can find common ground in the coming months, he is a “strong candidate” for a long-term contract.
As for Pouncey, Brown refers to him as the “linchpin” of the Steelers’ offensive line and sees multi-year agreement as a “no-brainer” for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers placed their franchise tag on Worilds a little over a month and he has since signed his one-year tender worth $9.754 million. A long-term agreement would not only keep him under team control for the foreseeable future, but also offer some cap relief in the process.
As things stand right now, the Steelers have -$108,066 in available cap space.
Worilds, 25, produced 63 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles this season and was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 12 3-4 outside linebacker in the league.
Pouncey, 24, essentially missed the entire 2013 season after Steelers G David DeCastro fell on his right leg during the first game of the season. Pouncey unfortunately suffered a torn ACL and subsequently sat out the rest of the year.
He is considered to be among the best centers in the league and is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Pouncey stands to make $1,288,375 for the 2014 season, so he’s clearly in line for a large raise at some point.
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They get 8 mil in cap space from the woodly cut to sign the draft class.
Why sign pouncey or worlds now when neither seems able to play well for a full season? Are they giving a discount for the risk?
My guess is neither signs until late or after the season.
Great point about the Woodley cap hit coming off the books. Forgot it was a June 1 designation. Thanks for pointing that out.