LB Jason Worilds Free Agency Fits: Titans, Colts, Cardinals
Without much in the way of cap space for the 2015 offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be saying goodbye to one of their top defenders in linebacker Jason Worilds.
Worilds, who was given the transition tag in 2014, is a really solid outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive alignment who still has his best football ahead of him. He will be 27 at the start of free agency, so you know Worilds is going to want to cash in and get the biggest contract he’ll likely get in his NFL career.
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He has racked up 15.5 sacks and three forced fumbles over the last two seasons, and his departure could leave a major void on the Steelers’ defense with only Jarvis Jones returning under contract next season at the position.
Here are what I believe to be the best fits for Worilds as he gets set to test the open market.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans just hired Ray Horton as their defensive coordinator and Dick LeBeau as a defensive consultant. Worilds would be a great pickup for this defensive unit that has been one of the worst in the NFL at getting pressure on the quarterback, and the Titans have money to spend this offseason.
With Derrick Morgan set to also hit free agency, this could be a great fit for Worilds.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are desperate for edge rushers, and John Abraham (who is not getting any younger) is a free agent as well. They don’t have big names or Todd Bowles calling the shots anymore. This is a defensive unit that needs a boost, and they are slowly working their way to having plenty of cap space to make a move like this by re-structuring the deal of Larry Fitzgerald and talking to Carson Palmer about doing the same.
The Cardinals make a lot of sense in terms of their need for an edge player like Worilds.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have a need for an edge player, and they have money to spend. This seems like a good fit for Worilds, but the market for the Colts will be competitive because they are expected to look at guys like Pernell McPhee as well.
Still, Worilds would be a great fit for Indy and Chuck Pagano’s defense, and I think they can make it happen.