For free agent linebacker James Harrison, the decision isn’t regarding weather he will play again in 2015.
The decision is where he will play.
The 36-year old Harrison, who announced his retirement prior to returning last season, doesn’t have much of a market similar to last season. But unlike last summer, which left him without a team, he does have two options to continue his playing career.
Now Harrison has to decide where his loyalties lie. Does he sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team that he has known for most of his career, or does he stay loyal to former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and follow LeBeau to the Tennessee Titans.
Harrison wrote on Instagram:
“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,” Harrison wrote. “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.”
While the five-time Pro Bowler clearly isn’t the player he was during his prime, he did show last season that he can still be an effective pass rusher from time to time, totaling 5.5 sacks and 45 tackles over 11 games.
Playing time could be a factor in Harrison’s decision.
The Steelers have very limited options at outside linebacker with only Jarvis Jones and Arthur Moats under contract. Harrison would get a lot more playing time with the Steelers than with the Titans, especially after Tennessee re-signed outside linebacker Derrick Morgan and also signed Brian Orakpo earlier this month.
However while Harrison would likely make a greater impact with the Steelers in 2015, his loyalty to LeBeau could win out in the end. That could be especially true since veterans Brett Keisel, Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu won’t be in Pittsburgh next season either.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
