Until lately, whether it because of performance or salary cap issues, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a knack of knowing when to cut ties with veterans getting up there in age.
One guy that they will be forced to make a tough call in the next couple of years will be inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons.
Even though he is still playing at a very high level, Timmons has a couple of extremely high cap hits coming up of $12.6 million in 2015 and $11.8 million in 2016.
That alone may force the franchise into a tough decision, but after listening to Timmons, things may not get to that point.
Timmons told ESPN recently that he wants to retire a Steeler and would be willing to rework his contract to make that happen.
“I’ve been here for nine years, I’ve got a house here, I’d like to keep that house,” said Timmons. “I’ve got a family here that loves it.”
While that would be great news for Timmons, it would also be great news for the Steelers as Timmons is only 29 and is still playing at a very high level. The Steelers also need his experience as the team’s projected other three linebackers for the future are all very young and unproven.
The Steelers could restructure Timmons’ current deal or sign him to an extension to help try and lower some of their cap cost.
Timmons, who was Mike Tomlin’s first draft pick as Steelers head coach, is coming off a season in which he had 132 tackles and a pair of sacks. Timmons was a second-team All-Pro and named to his first Pro Bowl team last year.
If he keeps turning in seasons like that, it likely won’t be long before Timmons gets his wish.
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