Patience pays off for LaMarr Woodley

by Tony Lombardi

August 5, 2011
4:00 am

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley was one of the NFL’s best bargains in 2010. Coming off a Pro Bowl campaign one year prior, Woodley stayed quiet and played out the final year of his rookie contract for $550,000, recording 10 sacks and helping the Steelers get to Super Bowl XLV.

The Steelers rewarded Woodley’s patience on Friday. Woodley signed a six-year, $61.5 million extension that will make him one of the team’s highest-paid players, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The AFC North blog also has confirmed the report.

The move frees up additional cap room for the Steelers and removes the franchise tag for Woodley. Several veterans also restructured contracts to ensure Pittsburgh is in compliance with the $120 million salary cap.

Woodley, 26, has recorded double-digit sacks for three consecutive years in Pittsburgh.

Tony Lombardi

Tony is the founder of EutawStreetReport.com and RussellStreetReport.com. His work has been featured on various websites and he hosts The Front Office and Word on The Street podcasts. Among his favorite things in life are his wife, kids, grandbaby Elise, family, friends, My Single Friend on Facebook, The Spirit of Christmas, The Beatles, Breaking Bad, Shawshank Redemption, Gladiator, The Godfather, Guinness, bourbon, meatballs and Key West, not necessarily in that order. Brussel sprouts, bacon and milk chocolate are highly overrated. Follow Tony on Twitter @RSRLombardi. I'm nicer in person than I am on X!