Major issues coming when it comes to trying to keep LaMarr Woodley

Saw this in the Post-Gazette this morning, and the National Football Post picked up on it as well. Not good for the Steelers when it comes to the team trying to keep LB LaMarr Woodely in the fold past this season. The team has few options when it comes to retaining his services, as it sounds like the club is going to be stuck in all areas when it comes to trying to keep him at a somewhat affordable price:

The Pittsburgh Steelers have encountered a major, not unexpected stumbling block in their efforts to secure Pro Bowl outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley’s services on a long-term basis. Barring a new collective bargaining agreement, Woodley won’t be getting a new contract anytime soon because of the 30-percent rule that states that new contracts can’t have salaries increasing more than 30 percent above their 2009 level each year.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Woodley made $460,000 last year under his original rookie deal. Woodley has outplayed the contract, though, registering 13 1/2 sacks last season and 11 1/2 in 2008, plus six sacks during the Steelers’ Super Bowl run that year. Per the report, under normal circumstances, Woodley would be in line for a five-year deal worth $40 million at the lowest but now, he’ll have to wait and wait and wait until there’s labor peace.