The Steelers are hoping that a tactic they've used in the past helps them lock up one of their key defensive cogs for a long time.
According to NFL.com, Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley is expecting Pittsburgh to place the franchise tag on him within the next two weeks. By doing so, both sides would buy time to work on a long-term extension. As the report points out, the Steelers have done so in the past with players like Max Starks and Casey Hampton.
If the Steelers do franchise the 26-year-old Woodley, he'll be in line for the linebacker tag salary which is expected to be in the neighborhood of $10-13 million.
Of course, if Woodley is not franchised, he would become an unrestricted free agent.
