Steelers Decline to Pick Up Jarvis Jones’ Fifth-Year Option
Following three quiet seasons in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have declined to pick up the fifth-year option on Jarvis Jones’ rookie contract.
The Steelers envisioned an elite pass rusher of the future when they selected Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones with the 17th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Up to this point, however, Jones has yet to live up to expectations.
In three seasons with the Steelers, Jones has accumulated meager numbers on the stat sheet. Jones has tallied five sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and 86 total tackles since 2013. He’s added six pass deflections and two fumble recoveries.
Jones missed a considerable amount of time in 2014 due to a wrist injury – he suited up for only seven games, starting in three of them. Although Jones was reliable in 2015, starting 15/16 regular season games, he still failed to improve on his sack total from 2014.
Jones will remain on the Steelers roster for the upcoming 2016 season. His fifth-year option deals with the 2017 season, in which he would earn $8.4 million, per DKPittsburghSport’s Jason Mackey. Clearly, that cost is too high for a man who’s failed to reach double-digit sacks in three years.
In 2016, Jones’ cap hit will total $2.8 million, with a base salary of $1.6 million.
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As per tradition, the Steelers invested in linebackers in the 2016 NFL Draft. University of Washington linebacker Travis Feeney was selected in the sixth round, and Temple’s Tyler Matakevich was taken in the seventh. 2015 first-rounder Bud Dupree had a solid first season, notching four sacks and 26 total tackles. Dupree played in all 16 games last season.
The Steelers outside linebacker rotation currently consists of Jones, Dupree, Arthur Moats, Anthony Chickillo, and the master of father time, James Harrison. Harrison announced on Instagram today that he will return for the 2016 season. Unless Jones makes major strides in the upcoming season – preferably double-digit sacks – he likely won’t be on the Steelers roster come 2017.
Of course, the Steelers still can re-sign Jones before 2017, but it would be on an entirely new contract. If Jones is let go for good, other pass rush-needy teams will surely look his way.
All stats via Pro Football Reference. Contract information via Spotrac.