James Harrison is coming back.
Harrison, the Steelers’ 38-year-old outside linebacker, has a new deal worth $3.5 million over two years. The Steelers announced the move Wednesday afternoon.
Harrison posted a photo of him signing the contract on Instagram.
Harrison, already the oldest linebacker in the NFL, led the team with five sacks last season, giving him 79.5 for his career and setting the Steelers record.
He also set the franchise’s all-time sack record and, generally, held up physically despite playing much more than was originally intended. Harrison turns 39 this year, and this contract will have him playing at 40. Only two linebackers in NFL history have played at age 40 — Junior Seau and Clay Matthews. Harrison turns 39 on May 4
This contract is his second with the Steelers since holding an official retirement press conference in August 2014. Since then, he has played nearly three full seasons and remained their most productive outside linebacker. This will be his 15th season in the NFL, all but one with the Steelers. They released him in 2013 when he refused to take a pay cut, then played that season with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was NFL defensive player of the year in 2008 and is a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler.
“I’m really excited to keep James in Pittsburgh,” said Bill Parise, a Pittsburgh-based agent. “Personally, I feel very strongly about the organization and James being here.
“Twelve years ago, I said Pittsburgh was signing their next great linebacker and that was true. Now they’re keeping their linebacker. It’s a wonderful situation for James and for the Steelers.”
Harrison took the vast majority of snaps at right outside linebacker last season and, at the moment, is still at the top of the depth chart at that position. Behind him is Arthur Moats — and opposite him is Bud Dupree, who returned from an injury and showed serious potential down the stretch.
Other than that, the Steelers’ pass-rush personnel is in flux. Keeping Harrison in the fold begins to address the problem, but lack of pressure was an issue throughout the season, then blew up in their face in the AFC championship against Tom Brady.
Returning was always Harrison’s intention: “I’m not done,” he said after the Steelers lost to the New England Patriots, 36-17.
First Published: March 1, 2017, 7:02 p.m.