Steelers bring back reserve defensive end Chris Wormley on 2-year contract
After losing starting nose tackle Tyson Alualu to free agency, the Steelers maintained some depth on their defensive front by re-signing defensive end Chris Wormley to a two-year contract.
The signing, which was confirmed by the Tribune-Review, was first reported by WTOL-TV in Toledo, which is Wormley’s hometown.
Wormley, 27, played sparingly with the Steelers in his first year after being acquired from the Baltimore Ravens. He appeared in 13 games, making one start, and played just 14% of all defensive snaps. He also spent three games on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Wormley contributed eight tackles, one sack and three quarterback hits.
Wormley wouldn’t appear to be the answer for replacing Alualu, who signed a two-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, at nose tackle. He logged just three of his 148 defensive snaps last year at the nose position.
Wormley, along with Henry Mondeaux and perhaps Isaiah Buggs, likely will be a part of the backup rotation behind starters Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt.
While with the Ravens, Wormley was a more active participant. In 2019, his final season in Baltimore, he made seven starts and played 46% of the defensive snaps.
Wormley is the third free agent-eligible player that the Steelers have retained, following right tackle Zach Banner and cornerback Cameron Sutton. Eleven players that hit free agency at 4 p.m. Wednesday remain unsigned.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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