Outside linebacker Jason Worilds and cornerback Brice McCain are among the players who did not re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers before 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, making them unrestricted free agents.
The Steelers have been intent on letting Worilds test the open market for some time. He led them with 15½ sacks in the last two seasons.
He won’t be back unless there is a soft market for the fifth-year veteran, something that isn’t expected to happen given how coveted pass-rushers are and the fact that Worilds turned just 27 years old last week.
The Steelers did not re-sign McCain after he tied William Gay with three interceptions and helped bail them out after Cortez Allen flopped at cornerback.
The Steelers have not given up on Allen, who signed a four-year, $24.6 million last September, and they also offered a one-year, $1.554 million contract to cornerback Antwon Blake, who is a restricted free agent.
The Steelers will likely let the market determine McCain’s value before deciding if they want to make a serious run at the sixth-year veteran.
Other Steelers players of note who are unrestricted free agents include outside linebacker James Harrison, cornerback Ike Taylor, safety Will Allen, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and running back Ben Tate.
The Steelers have been largely quiet leading up to the start of free agency, signing only outside linebacker Arthur Moats and tight end Matt Spaeth before each became an unrestricted free agent.
