Markus Golden has been a playmaker his entire life. The 33-year-old native of St. Louis, Missouri, is entering his 10th year in the NFL. It was reported on Thursday that the Pittsburgh Steelers elected to bring the veteran back on a one-year deal.
Golden is coming off a 2023 season with the Steelers in which he appeared in 16 regular-season contests. He accumulated 20 tackles and added six tackles for loss, including four sacks. With the Steelers making the playoffs, Golden made his fourth playoff appearance, ending his season strong with a sack against the Buffalo Bills.
We have signed LB Markus Golden to a one-year contract. @BordasLaw
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 1, 2024
📝: https://t.co/olqtmdAcx9 pic.twitter.com/rrz1uguE9x
Markus Golden's Pre-NFL Career
The journey hasn't always been easy for Golden. He faced academic challenges in high school and didn't meet eligibility requirements ahead of his freshman year of college. As a result, he played a season for Hutchinson Community College, located just outside of Kansas City. In his only season there, Golden dominated in all aspects, making 90 tackles and forcing seven turnovers.
Heading into his sophomore year, Golden was finally able to play for his dream school at the University of Missouri. He appeared in 12 games, mostly on special teams, but made an instant impact. By his junior year, he was seeing an increase in opportunities and made the most of them, recording 55 tackles, and seven sacks.
Golden entered his senior season universally viewed as one of the best pass rushers in the nation. In his first three games alone, he made 21 tackles and recorded four sacks. He went on to finish the season with 78 tackles and 10 sacks, leading Missouri to an SEC Championship appearance.
Markus Golden's NFL Career
Coming out of college, Golden was invited to the NFL Combine and was viewed as a 3rd to 5th round draft pick. With the 58th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected him, and just days later, they signed him to a four-year contract.
During his tenure with the Cardinals, Golden experienced a roller coaster ride with the organization. They made a playoff run in his rookie season, but by the end of his contract, the team wasn't winning, and he was ready for a change of scenery.
Ahead of the 2019 season, Golden signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants. He had a career year, starting all 16 games and recording a personal best of 72 tackles. The Giants refused to let him walk in free agency and brought back the linebacker for the 2020 season. However, after just seven weeks, the organization decided to trade him back to the Cardinals for a sixth-round draft pick.
Golden played two seasons for the Cardinals, appearing in every game during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. At the age of 32, when he became a free agent, the linebacker chose to sign a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It is clear that Golden has had quite the journey through his time in the National Football League. Now, entering his age-33 season, with his days in the league likely numbered, Golden is hungry to make a postseason run and win now.