(Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has spent 14 years with the Steelers. In 2013, he played a single season with the Cincinnati Bengals, his only not in the Steelers’ black and gold. Harrison is Pittsburgh’s all-time sack leader (with 80.5, which doesn’t include the two he had with the Bengals). On Saturday, it was confirmed that Harrison will be waived by the Steelers.
We have activated OT Marcus Gilbert from the Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner List to our active roster, and released LB James Harrison. https://t.co/yF8wLQD9Ac
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2017
Harrison can sign with another team this season. The linebacker sent out an Instagram post of his own following the Steelers’ decision. Harrison thanked the Steelers, but left the question of his future pretty open to interpretation:
It would seem apparent there has been some feathers ruffled between the Steelers and James Harrison. Almost two weeks ago, Harrison was quoted as saying he was upset that he was being used as an “insurance policy” in the team’s defensive scheme.
Prior to the season, Harrison signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract entering the season. He’ll finish two games short of seeing the first year of that deal through.
The career achievements of James Harrison are extraordinarily great. He was named AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, has two first-team All-Pro appearances, and selected to five Pro Bowls, among other honors.
For Pittsburgh’s part, most of Harrison’s decline in play has to deal with the emergence of Steelers’ rookie linebacker T.J. Watt. Due to Pittsburgh’s depth at the position, Harrison has only played in five games this season for the Steelers.
