Pittsburgh Steelers could face tough decision with Troy Polamalu

[Lady Steel]

Outside linebacker Jason Worilds (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13306/jason-worilds) has probably played his last down for the Pittsburgh Steelers (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers).

There have been no contract talks between the two sides, and the Steelers won’t use a transition tag (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12383671/pittsburgh-steelers-use-transition-tag-lb-jason-worilds) to keep Worilds from becoming an unrestricted free agent on March 10.

Unless there is a sluggish market for Worilds -- something that is unlikely since he is only 26 years old and one of the better pass rushers who is poised to hit the open market -- the fifth-year veteran will be playing elsewhere in 2015.

Less certain is what will happen with strong safety Troy Polamalu (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/4474/troy-polamalu).

The eight-time Pro Bowler is coming off a season in which he did not intercept a pass or record a sack for the first time since 2007. Polamalu turns 34 in April and has clearly lost a step, but he apparently has no plans on retiring.

Cornerback Ike Taylor (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/4583/ike-taylor) told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh that Polamalu is already training with the intent of playing next season.

Polamalu is still under contract with the Steelers for two more seasons, but he is due a base salary of $6 million in 2015.

That is too much money for a player whose skills have declined but it is one thing to ask Taylor to take a pay cut -- something the Steelers did last year -- quite another to do it with Polamalu.

And that is if the Steelers want Polamalu back.




http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/162555/pittsburgh-steelers-could-face-tough-decision-with-troy-polamalu

[one side only]

No time to be sentimental. Thanks for the memories, Troy. Don't tarnish your legacy by limping around in another uniform. As if he reads SU!

[salamander]

Not really tough in my opinion. Dude will go down as one of the greatest players to ever put on a Steelers uniform but his best days are behind him.

[Crash]

I wish they wouldn't have wasted time with Mitchell, got Thomas ready to play SS, and moved Troy to FS. IMO if he plays again for someone else that's where he will go.

[86WARD]

He wouldn't be good there either.

[Lady Steel]

Sadly, Troy is going to be a victim of not knowing when to hang it up. :(

[st33lersguy]

It is not tough, cut the man loose and don't allow him to produce anymore bad tape in the black and gold. I don't know what good is does either Pittsburgh or Polamalu to keep him here

[Steeldude]

If Polamalu would lose the weight I think he would be a hundred times more effective. What is he now 230-240lbs? They should place him at ILB if he gets any bigger.

[ALLD]

Have not seen a play maker in a Steeler uniform like Polamalu since Rod Woodson or Jack Ham. They come around, but not very often.

[zulater]

Great career. But time to end it judging by last year's results. Sorry but unless he commits himself to a fitness level not in evidence in recent years he just isn't good enough. He was a liability last year sad to say.