If Around The League picked up on the clamor of teams waiting with baited breath for Jason Worilds to reach free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers were surely aware of the linebacker's league-wide popularity.
The team announced Monday that they have placed the transition tag on Worilds. NFL Media Inside Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the linebacker accepted the tag.
Whereas the franchise tag for linebackers is $11.455 million, Worilds will earn $9.754 million under the lesser tag. The transition designation gives the Steelers five days to match any prospective offers.
With Brian Orakpo and Greg Hardy off the market, Worilds was set to become the most coveted young pass rusher on the open market.
The question now is how this transaction affects the future of injury-plagued linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who is scheduled to count $13.6 million against the salary cap.
General manager Kevin Colbert has suggested he might find a way to keep both edge rushers, but the team is currently over the cap limit.
The Steelers have already begun clearing cap space, as Rapoport reported Monday that tight end Heath Millerrestructured his contract.
Safety Troy Polamalu is next on the restructure list, while offensive tackle Levi Brown, cornerback Ike Taylor and linebacker Larry Foote are candidates for release.
Cap-strapped to the extreme, Colbert will be fun to watch if he's forced to counter a long-term offer from another team to Worilds.
The latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast" works through our top 101 free agents and responds to some heat from Donte Whitner.
