Mar 11, 2015 3 min read

The Steelers had a quiet opening day of NFL free agency Tuesday.

Then, all heck broke loose.

Just before midnight free agent linebacker Jason Worilds said on Twitter that he was retiring from the NFL. On Wednesday, cornerback Brice McCain signed a two-year free agent deal to join to the Miami Dolphins.

The Steelers also officially restructured the contract of center Maurkice Pouncey, freeing up some $3.8 million in salary cap space, and scheduled a meeting with free agent running back DeAngelo Williams, who was released by the Carolina Panthers, Friday.

The Steelers, who now have $7.5 million in salary cap space following Pouncey’s contract restructure, had an interest in re-signing both players.

Worilds, 27, informed the Steelers Tuesday afternoon of his intention and took to Twitter around midnight to announce the news.

“I appreciate all of the interest from the organizations that have reached out to us in the past few days,” Worilds wrote. “With that being said, after much thought & consideration I have chosen to step away from football as I have opted to pursue other interests.

“I am especially grateful of the opportunity to play before some of the greatest fans in football today. Despite any concern and speculation that may ensue, I appreciate those that are respectful of my decision.”

Worilds, who had led the Steelers in sacks in 2013 and 2014, also had drawn free agent interest from the New York Giants, Tennessee and Philadelphia. The devout Jehovah’s Witness reportedly informed teams that he wanted to devote more time to his religion.

Worilds, a second-round draft pick in 2010, had been scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2014 but the Steelers placed the transition tag on him, paying him $9.7 million last season.

His retirement was one of several around the NFL Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis announced he was stepping away from the game at 30, and Tennessee quarterback Jake Locker, who like Worilds had just reached free agency, retired at 26.

McCain, who had an offer on the table from the Steelers, instead accepted a two-year, $5.5-million deal from the Dolphins, with $3 million of that guaranteed. He earned $815,000 last season after the Steelers signed him following his release by Houston.

McCain, 28, appeared in 14 games in 2014 for the Steelers, starting nine. He recorded 25 tackles and matched William Gay for the team lead in interceptions with three.

Williams, 31, is Carolina’s all-time leading rusher with 6,846 yards, but was released last week in a salary cap-related move.

He has been pretty durable throughout his career, missing just one game from 2011-2013, but the 10-yard veteran appeared in just six games last season because of injuries, gaining 219 yards on 62 carries.

The Steelers are in need of a veteran No. 2 running back behind starter Le’Veon Bell, who is expected to be suspended for the opening two games of this season because of a DUI stop last August that also resulted in a marijuana possession charge.

McCain and Worilds were two of eight Steelers who became free agents Tuesday. The others included James Harrison, Ike Taylor, Will Allen, Clifton Geathers, Ben Tate, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Michael Palmer.

The Steelers re-signed linebacker Arthur Moats and tight end Matt Spaeth Monday to keep them from reaching free agency.