New England Patriots sign James Harrison after release from rival Pittsburgh Steelers
Wednesday 27 December 2017 18:05, UK
Former Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker James Harrison has signed with the New England Patriots.
Harrison visited the Patriots after clearing waviers and becoming a free agent following his release by Pittsburgh and has signed a one-year deal with the defending Super Bowl champions.
The 39-year-old veteran Harrison posted a photo of himself with 40-year-old quarterback Tom Brady in New England's locker room on his Instagram account, writing that he finally has a team-mate "that's older than me!"
The Steelers released the five-time Pro Bowler and 2008 NFL defensive player of the year on Saturday to make room for right tackle Marcus Gilbert, who is returning from a suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy.
Harrison, who is the Steelers' career leader in sacks, piling up 80 during his 14 seasons with Pittsburgh and 82 during his career, briefly retired in September 2014 following a forgettable 2013 season in Cincinnati but returned when the Steelers ran into injury trouble.
He collected at least five sacks every season between 2014 and 2016 and signed a two-year deal last spring that would have kept him in Pittsburgh through his 40th birthday.
But Harrison's playing time dipped significantly this season he has just one sack. He was active in just five games despite being injury-free and with the Steelers turning more toward outside linebackers Bud Dupree and rookie TJ Watt.
"We make the decisions we feel give us the very best chance to win," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday when asked why the team didn't release a different player to make room for Gilbert. "We needed the people we kept. We needed to activate Marcus Gilbert. Really, it's nothing more than that."
Harrison could get a chance to face his former team if the Patriots and Steelers meet in the conference championship for a rematch of last year's title game, which New England won 36-17 on their way to a fifth Super Bowl title.
