James Harrison Deciding Between Steelers, Titans No Surprise

James Harrison has been working out this offseason like a new man.  There is no doubt he is pumped up.  The thirty-six-year-old linebacker may be a free agent, but just last summer he announced his retirement when no teams knocked on his door or lit up his phone.  Things have changed and the 2014 NFL Season gave Harrison more options.  Healthier than he’s been in three years, Harrison helped give the Steelers the edge rush they’d been missing from their young group of talent.  On Saturday, Harrison used Instagram to announce that he will decide whether he would like to re-sign with the Steelers for another season or depart for the Tennessee Titans to play under Dick LeBeau.  Harrison wrote:

“The opinions of my support team are split, but for me, my love for the man who both started, and made my career what it is, is undeniable. There are no words that I can find that would do justice for everything Dick LeBeau has done for me & my career and nothing can compare to that! I also have a great amount of love for Steelers Nation & the Steelers organization. I’m going to pray on this and let God guide me in the right direction.”

After the Steelers were completely taken off-guard by Jason Worilds‘ retirement, the organization may be crossing their fingers that Harrison will return after recording 5.5 sacks and 45 tackles in 11 games last season.  Ryan Shazier and Jarvis Jones are still raw and could use the veteran tutelage for another season as well.

The Titans may hold the ace, however.  Harrison is loyal to LeBeau to the core.  It isn’t surprising that Harrison would have mixed emotions on where to play.  What is surprising is that as his 37th birthday quickly approaches a guy who didn’t get an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine, went undrafted and was cut from a practice squad more than once has legitimately made a statement about not only being able to put another year under his belt but push for real future selection consideration for the Hall of Fame.