The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced that they have placed the transition tag on linebacker Jason Worilds.

Worilds was due to become a free agent when the league year begins later this month, after playing the final year of his four-year rookie deal with the Steelers in 2013.

However, the club have decided to apply the transition tag to the 26-year-old, which will give them the chance to match any offer made to the linebacker during free agency.

If no offer is forthcoming, Worilds will play on a one-year deal for the Steelers worth $9m (£5.4m) in the 2014 campaign.

The linebacker recorded 63 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles last season.