Shortly after James Harrison’s agent comments about the door being open for a return to Pittsburgh, the team has slammed that door shut telling their former player that they have no interest in bringing him back for the 2013 season.
The five-time Pro Bowler may have more trouble than he anticipated on the free agent market. After striking out with the Baltimore Ravens, no other candidates have expressed major interest in signing the former Defensive Player of the Year.
Not only that, Harrison will receive nowhere near the 30% pay cut of an original $6 million salary that the Steelers offered him earlier this March. After moving forward without James Harrison, it would seem that the team is comfortable with Jason Worilds taking over the reins at outside linebacker. A theory that was affirmed by the words of the team’s Head Coach.
“I believe that Jason Worilds is chomping at the bit to prove he is capable of being that,’’ Tomlin said.
The team does have a history of finding capable backup plans for in the linebacking corps. In 2007 Harrison filled in admirably for long-time Steeler great Joey Porter. In 2013, we will see if Worilds can do the same. Of course, the team can also solve their lack of linebacker depth via the upcoming draft. While no one can be certain which direction the team is headed, it is clear that Harrison is not in the team’s plans.
While Harrison has no chance of being a Steeler, Harrison’s agent Bill Parise, told the Post-Gazette on Monday that he “has a couple things going on” with some other NFL teams with regard to his client.
