Jason Worilds signed his transition tag in the offseason keeping him in the Steel City for at least another season. However, it is being reported that Worilds was nearly a member of the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.
According to our friends at Bleeding Green Nation, they report that before the Steelers offered Worilds his transition tag, the Eagles were close to signing arguably the best available 3-4 outside linebacker in the free agent market.
With the Steelers still unsure of what Worilds can bring in a full season in a starting role, he will have to prove that he is worth a long term deal with the organization. In the meantime, it shows that if the Steelers don't sign Worilds and let him hit free agency after the 2014 season, there will be suitors awaiting.
Worilds is going to be a huge part of the Steelers defense in 2014, prepared to prove that his 8 sacks in the second of the season was juts a sign of things to come, and not just a fluke. Worilds not only sacked the quarterback 8 times, but also led the NFL in quarterback hits with 21.
It is that type of pass rush the Steelers need, and why they placed the transition tag on Worilds.
Currently, Worilds is nursing a knee injury that occurred during the Steelers 31-21 loss to the Eagles Thursday night. The severity of the injury will not be known until he is evaluated on Monday. If Worilds is deemed to be out for any length of time, it would leave a gaping hole in a defense that is already thin at the outside linebacker position.