The Pittsburgh Steelers have dismissed their franchise bag leader James Harrison. The linebacker only signed a new two-year contract last March. Offensive Tackle Marcus Gilbert, who served a suspension, takes his place in the squad.
One day before Christmas Eve and Week 16 of the NFL, the Steelers and their all-time sack leader (80.5) go their separate ways. Harrison was only active five times this season, but his dismissal came as a surprise.
Harrison doesn’t want it to end yet. His agent, Bill Parise, explained to ESPN shortly after the news:”There were no animosities or bad feelings. It’s just the business of the NFL,” added:”I think he still wants to play. We’ll have to wait and see what happens on the Waiver-Wire.”
The 39-year-old, who can be requested by the Waiver-Wire until Monday by any other team in the league, still has a contract running until the end of 2018, but the working paper does not include any guaranteed salary for the coming season. A team that requests it now does not take any risks.
Harrison joined the Steelers in 2002 as an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent and played a total of 177 of his 192 games in the NFL for Pittsburgh. In his 14 NFL seasons he scored 788 tackles and 82.5 sacks and 8 interceptions. In the meantime he was active for the Cincinnati Bengals.