Call of duty: Steelers LB Worilds walks away

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PITTSBURGH

With all the surprises that were delivered around the NFL Tuesday, Jason Worilds has pulled another. The Steelers free agent linebacker announced early Wednesday morning that he was leaving football.

And the Steelers believe he means it.

Steelers sources told the Post-Gazette on Wednesday that they believe Worilds, who became an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday, is serious about walking away from football at the age of 27 to work for his religion, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and that there is no hidden agenda involved in his decision.

“I appreciate all of the interest from the organizations that have reached out to us the past few days,” Worilds wrote on Twitter. “With that being said, after much thought & consideration I have chosen to step away from football as I have opted to pursue other interests.

“I am especially grateful of the opportunity to play before some of the greatest fans in football today. Despite any concern and speculation that may ensue, I appreciate those that are respectful of my decision.”

The Steelers issued a statement Wednesday that said, “We respect his decision to retire and thank him for his five years in Pittsburgh. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Worilds, who made nearly $10 million with the Steelers last season, was considered one of the top free agent outside linebackers on the market. Yet it was curious when free agency began at 4 p.m. Tuesday that there was no word on any potential signings or even team visits mentioned for him.

The Steelers followed a blueprint that has been a hallmark of theirs in the first few hours of free agency, by looking over the field and patiently waiting for things to develop.

At 4 p.m. Tuesday, eight of their players became unrestricted free agents who can sign anywhere, most notably linebacker James Harrison and cornerbacks Ike Taylor and Brice McCain.

Tennessee seemed to be the landing place previously most mentioned for Worilds as a possibility, as it also could be for Taylor and Brett Keisel, who were released by the Steelers on Monday.

McCain, signed to a one-year contract in 2014 after Houston released him, reportedly is scheduled to visit the Miami Dolphins this week. McCain became a pleasant surprise for the Steelers after an injury to Taylor and ineffectiveness for Cortez Allen; he started 10 games at cornerback, including their playoff loss to Baltimore.

There also was no further news on the Troy Polamalu front. He has two years left on a contract extension he signed in 2014, but his contract has outpaced his performance. At 34, Polamalu is scheduled to earn a $6 million salary in 2015 and count $8.25 million under the salary cap. The Steelers would create $3.75 million in cap room if they released him before June 1, and $6 million if they wait until then or designate him as June 1 cut.