Pittsburgh Steelers Want OLB James Harrison Back

James Harrison is now 38, an age where teams get rid of players. But the Pittsburgh Steelers want Harrison back for 2017.

Back in 2013, the Pittsburgh Steelers cut then 34-year-old outside linebacker James Harrison. He was playing in less games and his sack production dropped so they thought the end had come. Then he appeared to be holding on has he played one year in Cincinnati.

But the Steelers didn’t find an effective replacement at outside linebacker for Harrison. So in 2014, the picked him back up and he has been effective for the Steelers. In 2016, Harrison was rated No. 11 among edge defenders by Pro Football Focus.

The analytics organization ranked him No. 12 rushing the passer, No. 16 vs. the run and No. 3 in coverage. After such a season, the Steelers wouldn’t mind having him around for another one. The Steelers now see that he doesn’t age the same way everyone else.

So they’re not going to just let him go because he’s a little older now.  NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the interest is mutual between the Steelers and Harrison. One look at his game against the Miami Dolphins in the playoffs tells the story.

Harrison wrecked the whole game for the Dolphins offense, leading to a big win for the Steelers. Everyone is talking about amazing New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is at 40 years old. But we have to recognize what Harrison is doing and a more physical position.