Fansided

NFL’s 25 highest-paid players for the 2014 season

By Patrick Schmidt

Aug 14, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) passes the ball during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) passes the ball during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 7, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds (93) during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds (93) during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /

21. Jason Worilds, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers – $9.75 million

Worilds is playing on a one-year franchise tender worth $9,754,000 and is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of this season.

The former second round pick in the 2010 draft out of Virginia Tech cashed in after a breakout season that saw him start 11 games and record career-highs in sacks with eight and tackles with 43.

Pittsburgh invested in Worilds this offseason and let LaMarr Woodley go and he rewarded their faith in him by recording a sack in the regular season opener in the Steelers’ win against the Browns.

His future with the Steelers will hinge on his production this season and whether he and the team can agree to a cap-friendly deal but also on the development of former first round pick Jarvis Jones who has gotten off to a slow start to his career.

If Jones breaks out this season, the Steelers could potentially afford to let Worilds get his big payday elsewhere, but if Jones struggles again, they may have no choice but to lock up the pass-rusher to a long-term deal.

Is Worilds worth the investment?

Next: Alex Mack

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