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Some teams have money to spend in the upcoming 2014 free agency period, while others simply do not. One could lump the Pittsburgh Steelers into the latter category, as they have been trying to climb out of salary cap problems the past two seasons. Though they have given a couple of extensions this year to help their cause, they also have had to make a couple of big-time releases.
On the eve of the free agency signing period, the Steelers have made it known that they will be letting one of their better defensive players go, in linebacker LaMarr Woodley, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Steelers will release LB LaMarr Woodley at 4 ET Tuesday, designate him a post June 1 casualty, per source. He will be free to sign Tuesday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2014
This eyebrow-raising move comes on the heels of their other risky decision to transition tag outside linebacker Jason Worilds. What isn't confusing about the decision to release him though, is the $10.6 million in cap space that they will be saving. Woodley will join fellow Black and Yellow members Larry Foote, Levi Brown and Curtis Brown as cap casualties. The former second round pick had five sacks last season and has 57 total in his seven seasons in the NFL.