Multiple sources are reporting Thursday ex-Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley has signed a 2-year, $12 million deal with the Oakland Raiders.
The deal, obviously short due to his injury history, but high enough in total value to recoup a good chunk of the money Woodley was scheduled to make in Pittsburgh, is quite far from the 6-year, $61 million deal Pittsburgh signed him to in 2011.
Time to help turn this thing around... @RAIDERS! pic.twitter.com/vRVapPA7pU
— LaMarrWoodley (@LaMarrWoodley) March 13, 2014
The Raiders may get a steal out of this. It's a question of health, and maybe nothing else for the Steelers' 5th-leading sack artist in franchise history. Woodley will likely play defensive end in Oakland's 4-3 defense, but could be used as a strongside linebacker as well.
Woodley was released as a post-June 1 designation from the Steelers at the start of free agency. His release wasn't entirely surprising, although the Steelers do take on more dead money than the team ever has. They applied their transition tag to OLB Jason Worilds, and are reportedly in the process of negotiating a long-term deal with him, essentially replacing Woodley.
The team drafted OLB Jarvis Jones with the 17th overall pick in 2013.
Oakland signed free agent defensive end Justin Tuck Thursday as well.