The Steelers declined the fifth-year option on outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, according to a source who spoke with Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. He’s now scheduled to be a free agent after the 2016 season. 
[RELATED: PFR’s 2017 Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
Jones’ fifth-year option would have been worth $8.369MM, more money than the Steelers were willing to pay. Last season, Jones started 15 regular season games at right outside linebacker and totaled 27 tackles with two sacks, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and one interception. The advanced metrics of Pro Football Focus (subscription required) placed Jones as the 67th best edge defender out of 110 qualified players in 2015.
With the Steelers’ decision on Jones now in the books, we now have resolutions on the fifth-year options of every player from 2013’s first round. For a full rundown of today’s decisions, check out PFR’s 2017 Fifth-Year Option Tracker.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.