An end of an era has come in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Saturday that they have released longtime linebacker James Harrison.
We have activated OT Marcus Gilbert from the Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner List to our active roster, and released LB James Harrison. https://t.co/yF8wLQD9Ac
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2017
While the timing is somewhat surprising, the overall move is not. Harrison has played in only five games for the Steelers this season and has grown unhappy with his diminished role.
Harrison broke into the NFL in 2004. Excluding a one-year stint with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013, he’s played for Pittsburgh for his whole career.
In his five games in 2017, Harrison recorded only three combined tackles with one sack.