Talks between Steelers and Jason Worilds on long-term contract stalled

One of the toughest decisions the Steelers had to make this offseason was how to deal with outside linebacker Jason Worilds.

We wrote in April fans shouldn't expect Worilds to sign a long-term extension this offseason after the Steelers gave him the transition tag, worth approximately $9.75 million, and according to Post Gazette reporter Ed Bouchette, talks between the two sides are pretty much dead.

There have been no productive talks between the Steelers and Jason Worilds on a long-term contract, and it appears he will play under the one-year, $9,754,000 transition tag that he signed and is guaranteed for 2014.

On one hand, the Steelers are committing $9.75 million to Worilds, a huge chunk of money for a player who isn't signed beyond this season. The team didn't address the position in the draft outside sixth round multi-position linebacker Jordan Zumwalt. It stands to reason they feel he is in their long-term plans.

On the other, Worilds' hot streak over the second half of last season isn't enough to ignore the general lack of production in the first 3.5 years of his career. He also dominated less-than-adequate tackles and tight ends, while getting generally beaten by the better tackles he faced.

So on the surface, $9.75 million is probably too much for what he's showed so far, but there isn't a lower price to keep him for a season to prove last season wasn't a fluke.