Former Steeler James Harrison Signing With Patriots Adds Playoff Drama

It's an odd move for a 14-year Steeler with two Super Bowl rings.

James Harrison
James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is introduced prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Over the holiday weekend, the Steelers announced that they were releasing linebacker James Harrison to make room on the roster for Marcus Gilbert. Harrison, 39, has been on the outs with the team. He only played 40 snaps this year and had barely been a part of the Steelers rise to the second seed in the AFC playoffs. But it is odd for a 14-year Steeler with 177 games under his belt and two Super Bowl rings, as well as a 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award earned (not to mention that he might have made the greatest defensive play in Super Bowl history) to be let go so suddenly. The Steelers love tradition, but Harrison’s release felt very unfeeling, writes Sports Illustrated’s Peter KingHarrison signed with the Patriots, and SI writes that there has to be something else going on under the surface.

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