Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jason Worilds failed to practice again on Tuesday, but he did talk to the media afterwards
With Worilds currently playing under the one-year transition tender that he signed back in March, he was asked if he’d still like to get a long-term deal done with the Steelers prior to the start of the season.
“Absolutely, as far as the long-term,” said Worilds, who is set to earn $9.754 million in 2014. “You put so much time and effort in with these, you want to be there for the duration of your career. So that would be extremely significant.”
While an extension would indeed be significant for Worilds, there’s been no indications that the former second-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech will receive one prior to the start of the season. He also didn’t sound too confident on Tuesday when asked if he thought it would happen.
“You hope so,” said Worilds. “But, it’s like one day at a time. I think if I continue with that approach, everything will fall into place.”
As I have noted several times during the offseason, unless Worilds is willing to give the Steelers one heck of discount as far as guaranteed money and average yearly value goes, the team is likely best served having him play out his one-year transition tag like they did with former tackle Max Starks back in 2008.
There’s still a few questions as to whether or not Worilds can be the long-term answer at left outside linebacker. If he can follow up his 2013 season with an even better 2014 season, the Steelers can tag him next offseason and reboot the whole process over again. Should, however, Worilds take a step backwards in 2014, at least there won’t be any potential dead money associated with him.
