Free agent linebacker James Harrison still wants to play following his release last week from the Cincinnati Bengals and one Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer thinks it’s “quite possible” he returns to the Steel City.
According to a Wednesday morning blog post by Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there is a “mutual attraction” between Harrison and the Steelers, who released the former undrafted free agent last offseason after failing to work out a pay reduction with him.
Should he ultimately return to the Steelers, Bouchette speculates that Harrison would play a part-time role behind Jarvis Jones, who the Steelers drafted in the first round last year. On a Monday edition of NFL Total Access, Harrison hinted he’ like to return to his former team.
Being as the Steelers only other outside linebacker on the roster that has experience outside of Jones and Jason Worilds is Chris Carter, you can certainly see the depth issues the team faces. However, Harrison will be 36 in May and his best days are long behind him.
The Steelers look like they are interested in adding an outside linebacker during free agency as they reportedly had their eyes on Green Bay Packers free agent Mike Neal prior to him re-signing last week. When you look at the other unsigned free agents that would figure to fit the Steelers defensive scheme, you can see why Bouchette thinks a Harrison-Steelers reunion “will happen.”
