When it comes to using the franchise tag, the Pittsburgh Steelers have something of a checkered past. There have been times when things worked out quite well for the team and others have failed miserably. This is especially relevant this offseason as the Steelers are faced with the decision of whether or not to place the tag on linebacker Bud Dupree after a big 2019 season.
Here are the highlights and lowlights of the Steelers and the franchise tag.
Best use of the tag
Pittsburgh placed the franchise tag on safety Carnell Lake in 1995. This led to a brief holdout by Lake but it did allow the two sides to work out a long-term contract. Lake ended up being a huge part of the Steelers defense for the next several seasons.
Worst use of the tag
This was a close one but we have to give it to the second time the team applied it to running back Le’Veon Bell. The team had already had one full offseason to try to get a contract figured out so it seemed futile to try again. But the Steelers did, Bell forfeited the entire season and the run game was never able to recover.
Most unusual franchise tag scenario
Back in 2014, the Steelers placed the franchise tag on linebacker Jason Worilds. It was coming off what was then his best season of eight sacks. Worilds finished with the 7.5 sacks during his tag season but Pittsburgh chose not to sign him to a new contract. The team almost placed the franchise tag on him for a second season. But when they didn’t Worilds decided to retire at only 27 years old and devote his life to his religion.
