Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly decided to part ways with veteran outside linebacker James Harrison.
It didn't take long for him to find a new home by inking a deal with the New England Patriots for the rest of the season. However, this situation is not as cut and dry as it appears on the outside, with a couple of Steelers players in center Maurkice Pouncey and linebacker Bud Dupree stating that Harrison forced his way out of Pittsburgh.
more Pouncey on Harrison to NE–"He wanted to go. It's funny to read the stories. It's something he wanted to do. He needs to come out and admit that."
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) December 27, 2017
Pouncey on Harrison part 3–"If you don't want to be here just come out and say it. Don't make it seem like it is the team's decision. You think the team wants to get rid of James Harrison? Come on now!
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) December 27, 2017
Pouncey on Harrison 4–"The team didn't do anything. If I wanted out I wouldn't let the team take the blame. That's me as a man. I'm glad the team is being respectful. But we are going to speak the truth."
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) December 27, 2017
Bud Dupree is says he doesn’t want the media to turn James Harrison into “the victim” or portray that the Steelers “made him leave.”
“He chose to leave. He chose to leave, and he did.”
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 27, 2017
It is clear that there is much more to this move than the Steelers simply letting him go, as Harrison was unhappy with his role on the team. His playing time was significantly reduced with rookie T.J. Watt taking over as the starter.
This was made clear at the start of the season before Harrison even re-signed with Pittsburgh. In fact, he previously acknowledged that he expected his role to decrease with Watt in the mix. However, he recently told Michele Tafoya of NBC Sports that he wouldn't sign a two-year deal to remain with Pittsburgh if he could go back.
@jharrison9292 told me today if he had known he wasn’t going to play much (inactive for 6 games, DNP for two more), he would not have signed with the @steelers this season. Would he have played somewhere else? “Oh, yeah,” he said. “Who wants to NOT play?” @PFT_Live @SNFonNBC
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) December 8, 2017
Ultimately, there is clearly no love lost on either side with Harrison's former teammates taking it personally that he decided to not only force his way out, but also join the Patriots. All of this makes for an intriguing possible AFC Championship Game.
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