NFL Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers Should Re-sign Veteran LB James Harrison

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James Harrison Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens 2014

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Yes, James Harrison is 36 years old, and yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers should consider re-signing the outside linebacker. The Steelers have a number of defensive players remaining from their Super Bowl core including Ike Taylor, Brett Keisel and Troy Polamalu. After a season-ending injury (torn bicep), Keisel figures to have played his final season with the Steelers. After sharing in an injury-ridden season himself it appears that Father Time has finally caught up to Taylor, helping usher him out of the dressing room. Polamalu’s future is still uncertain. However, he is one of the rare players who has the ability to choose his own fate — retire or possibly play another year on a reduced salary. This leaves Harrison as the last viable veteran option on defense.

It seems absurd to sign a 36-year-old linebacker, but consider these numbers. In just 11 games, the former Defensive Player of The Year recorded 5.5 sacks. That left him third on the team behind fellow outside linebacker Jason Worilds and defensive end Cameron Heyward, both of whom racked up 7.5 sacks for the year. In five less games the senior linebacker registered nearly as many sacks as two full-time starters. Even at his age, Harrison remains a disruptive force at the line of scrimmage.

However, the Steelers shouldn’t just re-sign Harrison because of his stats. When the Steelers lured him out of retirement earlier in the 2014 season (due to multiple injuries on defense) the defense was in a state of flux. His presence in the lineup clearly affected how the defense played. His on-field tenacity is contagious. It can be argued that his insertion into the lineup was a large contributor to why this defense saw a massive late-season turnaround in form. Harrison offers more to this team than just an aggressive pass-rusher.

With his age, Harrison cannot be a productive, full-time starter. Assuming 2013 first-round pick Ryan Shazier stays healthy along with 2012 first-rounder Jarvis Jones, there is no reason not to expect Harrison to be a huge contributor off the bench. He still has the premier edge-rush skills to be effective in this league. In addition, the knowledge he can share with the Steelers’ young linebacker corps is priceless. Harrison is a rare style of player barely seen in today’s NFL who leaves everything he has out on the field. He’s a catalyst. This young defense will need a catalyst to keep form for an entire season, not just the final six games. Harrison plays with a chip on his shoulder, and this young defense will need to play with an edge like that — especially in the physical AFC North.

Granted the Steelers have two other linebackers also coming up for free agency this offseason, Worilds and Arthur Moats. Worilds was hit with the franchise tag last season and may be again this season. Moats was productive last season (23 tackles and 4.0 sacks), but Harrison replaced the fifth-year linebacker as the starter before the season’s end. Harrison would a cheaper option than Moats, and he certainly offers a greater pass-rushing option along with being a prized veteran asset in the locker room. This is a talented, but green defense that will need a motivational leader. Harrison is one the few NFL players who leads by example on the field. His barbaric-like charisma on the field may just be what this defense needs to play consistent football.

The absence of former defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau in Pittsburgh may pose a problem in re-signing Harrison. LeBeau and his zone-blitz packages were the main reason why Harrison went from practice squad player to DPOY. Harrison may not want to play for a different coordinator, which one can respect. However, knowing Harrison’s passion for the game, love for the city and admiration for coach Mike Tomlin, there is no reason to suspect that he is unwilling to play another year for the black and gold. If this is the case, then the Steelers must re-sign him; the defense needs a leader for their front-seven, and Harrison is that leader.

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