Steelers Lamarr Woodley to Become a Free Agent in 2011

The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided not to give outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley a contract extension before the start of the 2010 season, a source told ESPN.com on Monday. Woodley is in the final year of his rookie deal and will make $550,000 this season...It's extremely rare that the Steelers negotiate with players during the season, which means Woodley would be set to become a free agent next March. The source added that it's highly unlikely the Steelers would change their stance on Woodley between now and September. Pittsburgh is primarily focused on filling its right tackle position and could spend money there following the season-ending Achilles injury to Willie Colon. [espn]

This certainly raises some flags for free agency next March. It's anyone's guess how the Andre Carter experience will work out, but I still have my doubts. The Redskins said they don't plan to use him in coverage much, which he struggled in San Fran with, so wouldn't an obvious game plan be to send TEs on his side? Lorenzo Alexander is learning coverage schemes now, so the OLB position is a bit of a myriad. The Redskins' Linebackers Coach of course is Lou Spanos, who coached Woodley his entire three-year career in the Burgh.

Oh, and there's the fact we have an owner with a bottomless wallet. He's only 26 years old and made the Pro-Bowl last year. At Michigan he played DE and LB and was the Co-MVP of the 2005 Rose Bowl with Vince Young.

Update: Woodley would become a RFA next year under the current terms of the CBA.