Steelers Free Agency 2013: LaMarr Woodley restructures contract
By Matt Shetler
Just hours before the NFL free agency period begins, the Pittsburgh Steelers are continuing to try and to create salary cap room in order to attempt to improve a team that finished a disappointing 8-8 in 2012.
The Steelers free agency period won’t be a busy one due to salary cap problems, but they did free up more cap room by restructuring the contract of outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley, which was expected.
According to Sportrac.com, the restructured deal clears $4.05 million in cap space by restructuring Woodley’s base salary from $9 million to $3.6 million.
#Steelers clear $4.05M in cap space by restructuring LB Woodley's base salary from $9M to $3.6M http://t.co/hYDosP1VfS
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 12, 2013
December 23, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (56) reacts on the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Cincinnati Bengals won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It’s good timing for the Steelers after agreeing to a three-year deal with offensive lineman Ramon Foster on Monday.
The Steelers were only $3.4 million under the cap, after releasing linebacker James Harrison and Foster’s deal (terms not disclosed) will take up some of that created room. What’s left over, along with the money saved by re-doing Woodley’s deal should at least give them enough room to sign most of their upcoming draft picks.
It also could give them some wiggle room to target a player or two in free agency or perhaps attempt to re-sign cornerback Keenan Lewis, which is a priority even though it looks doubtful at the moment.
Keep checking back to City of Champions Sports for all of the wheeling’s and dealings once free agency begins at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.