Scott Brown of ESPN.com writes that the Steelers’ chances of retaining free agent OLB Jason Worilds aren’t very good if he’s able to reach the open market.
Browns adds that the Steelers would likely have to overpay him in the coming week in order to prevent him from fielding offers from interested teams in the next few weeks.
Worilds is expected to be one of the hottest commodities in this year’s free agent class, especially if the Redskins are able lock up OLB Brian Orakpo to a long-term deal or by use one of their tags in the coming days.
Browns mentions that Worilds has a greater incentive to test the free agent market than settle for lower deal with the Steelers when there is no way to fully guarantee that he will have a large role in their defense given that they already have LaMarr Woodley and Jarvis Jones at outside linebacker.
A recent report indicated that as many half a dozen teams have already expressed interest in Worilds, so it appears as though a robust market is already forming for his services.
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.
We have Worilds listed as the No. 8 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.
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