James Harrison signs with Patriots after being cut by Steelers

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

The New England Patriots are "expected to sign" free-agent linebacker James Harrison after the 15-year veteran was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 23, according to ESPN's Field Yates.

Harrison confirmed the signing by posting an Instagram photo with Tom Brady:

Harrison signed a two-year deal with the Steelers prior to the 2017 season, but he didn't see the field often.

At 39 years old, the five-time Pro Bowler was limited to five appearances over the Steelers' first 14 games. He managed one sack and three tackles while playing 40 defensive snaps.

Of course, that minor role wasn't a major surprise given the emergence of pass-rushers T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree at outside linebacker.

"James knows I am going to put the interest of this group above anything else in terms of how we prepare, who we utilize and how we utilize them," head coach Mike Tomlin said in October, per 247Sports' Bryan DeArdo. "He is a competitor, he wants to be a central reason why we are successful. I know that. I also know he is a great team player. He always has been."

The Patriots shouldn't expect much from Harrison at this stage in his career.

But at the very least, the two-time Super Bowl champion should provide them with peace of mind off the edge since Dont'a Hightower (torn pectoral) and Shea McClellin (concussion) are done for the season and Kyle Van Noy has made scattered appearances on the injury report.

Beyond that, Harrison should be another quality addition to the Patriots locker room as they eye a Super Bowl repeat.

Don Wright/Associated Press

After being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, linebacker James Harrison reportedly met with the New England Patriots.

Per ESPN's Field Yates, Harrison is meeting with the Patriots on Tuesday at Gillette Stadium.

The Steelers released Harrison to make room on the roster for offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert, who was suspended four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Pittsburgh gave Harrison a two-year contract extension in March after he recorded five sacks in 15 games during the 2016 season. The 39-year-old only appeared in five games this season. He recorded three combined tackles and one sack prior to his release.

The Patriots could use the extra depth at linebacker with Kyle Van Noy questionable with a calf injury heading into Week 17 against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium.

James Harrison is trading his black and yellow for silver and blue. (Keith Srakocic/AP)

James Harrison, a longtime member of the Steelers and winner of two Super Bowls while in Pittsburgh, is switching his allegiances.

Harrison signed a deal with the New England Patriots, landing the 39-year-old linebacker on the opposite side of a bitter AFC rivalry just in time for the start of the postseason.

With a week to go, the Patriots (12-3) sit atop the AFC with the Steelers (12-3) just behind in the No. 2 slot, potentially setting up a rematch of last year’s AFC championship game, in which New England was a 36-17 winner. It would be the third such meeting between the teams in which Harrison would play, but the first where he’d be cheering for — and not chasing down — quarterback Tom Brady.

[NFL playoff scenarios entering Week 17: It’s mostly down to the wild cards]

Harrison and Brady already seem to be making the transition from foes to friends well enough, as the former Steeler playfully posted to Instagram about his new teammate’s age. “Finally… A teammate that’s older than me!” he wrote.

Brady, 40, is the fifth-oldest active player in the NFL; Harrison is the seventh oldest.

Pittsburgh cut Harrison, the team’s all-time leader in sacks with 80½, on Saturday. Harrison had played sparingly this season, appearing in five games and finishing his final campaign with the Steelers with just one sack and three tackles.

“There was no animosity or bad feelings. It’s just the business of the NFL,” Bill Parise, Harrison’s agent, told ESPN’s Josina Anderson.

Harrison might not have any bad feelings about being cut, but Steelers fans might about where he landed. The Steelers have historically struggled against the Patriots in the playoffs, losing 4 of 5 meetings dating to a divisional-round game after the 1996 season. Harrison, who had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII, lost twice in the postseason to the Patriots, including last year’s AFC title game, likely his last playoff appearance as a Steeler.

“I’ve played with that guy for a long time,” Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Tuesday of Harrison’s release. “He’s one of the best that I’ve ever played with. Great teammate. So it was shocking. I was a little surprised.”

[NFL Power Rankings, Week 16: As the playoffs near, Patriots and Vikings are on top]

Of course, this isn’t the first time Harrison and the Steelers have parted ways. He was released in 2013 and snatched up by the Cincinnati Bengals. He returned to Pittsburgh the following year, initially signing a one-day contract to retire as a Steeler before joining the active roster and recording 5½ sacks in four games. The Patriots likely are hoping for a similar burst of production from the veteran; New England’s front seven has been subpar for much of the 2017 season and is tied for 12th in the league in sacks (38).

And while Harrison hasn’t produced much this season, if the Patriots were to meet his former team in the AFC title game, Harrison’s familiarity with the Steelers could lend an edge to the New England defense. There’s also the added motivation of facing his former team to add to the equation.

Regardless of the circumstances, Harrison, who has played in 19 postseason games in his career, is back on a roster and in contention for a third Super Bowl ring. And this time, he doesn’t have to get past the Patriots.

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