Pittsburgh Steelers LB rejected offer already

It’s been no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers are having a tough time finding a long term deal for linebacker Jason Worilds. Now it appears that the real difficulty stems from a standoff between the two parties. Steelers management made their offer a while ago and while that offer stands, the team isn’t budging any higher for Worilds.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote:

"Turns out, the Steelers made Jason Worilds a multi-year contract offer awhile ago, sources say. His side did not accept it. I have no idea what that offer was, but I am told that offer stands and they will go no higher, that he either takes it or plays this season for the $9.7 million one-year deal he signed as their transition player."

Whatever that offer may be, it’s clear that A) Worilds isn’t crazy about it and B) The Steelers aren’t crazy about upping it. One can’t really blame either party for their stance. Worilds has been a bit of a contract-year-wonder who represents another chance for Pittsburgh to get burned on a long term linebacker deal the way they did with Lamarr Woodley’s deal. Worilds landed 7 sacks in the last eight games of the season to warrant his initial transition tag, but such a limited sample size potentially lends itself to some great disappointment.

More from NFL

• NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
• Packers training camp news: Jordan Love struggles, Bakhtiari schedule, position switch
• 3 Cowboys who won’t be on the roster after training camp
• Packers: Aaron Rodgers reached out to Jordan Love this offseason
• Damar Hamlin is a ‘full go’ at Bills training camp

The two sides have until July 15th to sign a long-term deal. Otherwise, Worilds will play out the 2014 season under his transition tag. This appears to be an inevitability unless Worilds is willing to take a little less than he’d like to ensure he plays in black and yellow for years to come.