OLB Markus Golden bided his time, waiting for Steelers to bring him back for 1 more year

Markus Golden knew he would return for a second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He just didn’t know when he would get the call to come back.

“If they had told me to come in the day after the season ended, I would have done that,” Golden said Saturday. “I was just going with the flow and making sure I was ready when the time comes.”

The time turned out to be a week into training camp when the Steelers called the 33-year-old outside linebacker and signed him to a one-year contract. He will provide depth at a position that features starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith and second-year backup Nick Herbig.

Golden, who practiced for the third day in a row Saturday, didn’t mind waiting until August to get a contract offer.

“The older you get in this league, this is year 10. … If I’m able to get a little break, then I can come in and fly around and be ready,” he said. “They kept in great contact with me. That is what I love about the Steelers: They keep in contact and let you know what is real.”

A former starter who has three double-digit sacks seasons in his career, Golden accepted a reduced role with the Steelers in his first season with the organization. He played a career-low 22% of the defensive snaps while suiting up for 16 games. He had four sacks, which ranked third on the team behind Watt’s 19 and Highsmith’s seven.

“It’s awesome having him back,” Highsmith said. “He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever had. He brings a lot of value to our locker room and the team. He has been very productive for us.”

While the Steelers were holding offseason workouts at UPMC Rooney Complex, Golden remained at home training and spending time with his 9-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. His son accompanied him to his workouts.

“I was starting to feel like I was a little retired,” Golden said, laughing, “but it was cool to hang out with my kids.”

And cooler when his phone rang and the 412 area code appeared on the screen.

“I’m going to come in, do my role, compete, work with these guys and push them to get better,” he said. “That is why I wanted to come back: to play with Alex, T.J. and Nick. They’ve got some great young dudes here.”