The Pittsburgh Steelers will apparently let the market establish Jason Worilds' value before trying to sign the outside linebacker to a long-term contract.

Worilds, who tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks in 2014, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 10.

The Steelers have the option of using a transition tag on Worilds for the second year in a row. But general manager Kevin Colbert has said the team is unlikely to do so even though tagging Worilds would allow them to match any offer he receives once free agency begins.

"He understands that if he doesn't get tagged, which we could still do, he will explore the market and see what is out there," Colbert said Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. "We will stay in communication. Maybe he comes back. Maybe he moves on. But he's been a good player for us and we would love to have him back if it all fits."

The Steelers paid Worilds $9.754 million last season after he signed the one-year offer that came with the transition tag.

They would have to pay him at least $11.7 million in 2015 if they tag Worilds, and the fifth-year veteran again signs the one-year deal that comes with the transition tag.

Worilds is one of three Steelers outside linebackers who is set to become an unrestricted free agent next month.

James Harrison and Arthur Moats are the other two, leaving Jarvis Jones as the only outside linebacker on the Steelers' roster who has NFL experience and is signed for 2015.