Veteran outside linebacker Markus Golden enjoyed a longer offseason, but he stayed ready for a possible return to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers signed Golden to a one-year contract on Thursday, and the 33-year-old joined his third practice with the team on Saturday.
“I’m just happy to be here … happy to be back with the Steelers,” Golden said. “I love playing here and I’m excited to be able to do it for another year.”
Entering his 10th NFL season, Golden was brought back to add depth behind star outside linebackers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, Pittsburgh’s fourth-round pick in 2023. The Steelers had 47 sacks last season, ranking 11th in the league.
“He’s just a really solid veteran,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “He is low to no maintenance, good, wise counsel and was highly productive when called upon. He is just a pro.”
Golden had a one-year contract with Pittsburgh before last season started. He played in 16 games, recording 20 tackles, four sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and six tackles for loss. He wasn’t re-signed after the season but stayed in touch with the team.
“That’s what I love about the Steelers, they kept in great contact with me, they said they were going to bring me in and they made it happen,” Golden said.
“I appreciate that, I like this organization and I’m excited to be here. The older you get in this league, if I can get a little break, then I can come in to fly around and be ready.”
Golden spent extra time with his family during the offseason, including his 9-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter, but kept himself prepared for a call.
“My son was working out with me every day,” Golden said. “I started to feel a little retired. But it was cool to hang out with my kids a little extra and it’s even better just to get back (to Pittsburgh) and for them to be able to watch me play this year.”
Golden, Arizona’s second-round pick in 2015, has played in 127 career games with 68 starts during his nine-year career with Arizona, the New York Giants, and Pittsburgh. He has 51 career sacks and has had double-digit sacks three times, most recently with 11 sacks for Arizona in 2021.
