Lawrence Timmons will finally get his chance to test the open market.

While they said that they'd like to have Timmons back for the 2017 season, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said on Thursday that the team has no issues with Timmons testing the open market for the first time in his career when free agency season opens on March 9. Timmons, Mike Tomlin's first ever draft pick, as spent his entire career in Pittsburgh up to this point.

“Would you love to have him stay? Absolutely. Does it all fit? I think we can make it fit. At what cost? He has to see what his market is," Colbert said of Timmons' situation, per Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "He's never been a free agent, and we have nothing against him finding out. Let's stay in touch as we go through the process.

“We'd love to see Lawrence finish his career here, and I think he would, too.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a great season and will be even stronger in 2017! Stay in the loop and sign up for our FREE Steelers newsletter!

Eighth on the team's career list in sacks, Timmons would love to end his career in Pittsburgh, telling NFL.com's Aditi Kinkhabwala as much shortly after the AFC Championship Game.

"I'm die hard Pittsburgh," Timmons said. "This is where I want to be."

Timmons, 30, has been an unbelievable model of consistency and durability. He hasn't missed a game (or a start) since the start of the 2011 season, and in 2016, led Pittsburgh in tackles once again while recording at least 100 tackles for the fifth consecutive season.

Mike Tomlin's first draft pick, Timmons was also a menace in pass defense, as his red zone pick of Eli Manning in Week 13 helped spearhead Pittsburgh's 24-14 victory. Timmons also made his presence felt in the pass rush, recording 2.0 sacks during the postseason.

Timmons, who played in 92 percent of the team's snaps in 2016, attributed part of his strong play in 2016 to his nutritional habits, as Timmons eliminated fast food from his diet.

"I have to stay youthful out there," Timmons recently told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "When you're 30, [your body] is not the same. I can't just go out there and be the way I was."

Timmons, who helped the Steelers win the Super Bowl in 2008, said that he wants to return to the black and gold for the 2017 season.

"I don't make any top-level decisions," Timmons said, "but I would love to stay here."