James Harrison has been quietly sitting on the free agency market since being released by the Steelers at the beginning of March. The market for a veteran defensive player is very weak this year and many believed Harrison could start the season without a team. However, the Cincinnati Bengals might be the team that is willing to give Harrison a few more years in the league. After visiting the team and working out for them, Harrison and Bengals are now reportedly negotiating a contract that could be signed soon.
Both Harrison and former Miami Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby visited the Bengals last week as the team has been interested in a veteran linebacker for some time. ESPN reports the deal with Harrison was easily more attainable than a deal with Dansby. The Bengals believes they can realistically sign Harrison to a contract that works well for the team financially and pleases the player.
Harrison is now 34 and has seen his production slightly decrease over the past season due to injuries. He missed the first three games of the 2012 season with a minor knee injury, however returned stronger than ever, leading the team in defense for the second half of the year. He was set to make $6.57 million during the upcoming season, but was released by the Steelers after refusing to take a pay cut. He was open to returning to Pittsburgh if the team was willing to offer him a better deal, but the Steelers insisted they were not interested in bringing him back.
Harrison was also heavily recruiting by the Baltimore Ravens until the team signed Elvis Dumervil. Other than that, Cincinnati was the only team to call his number. The Bengals were in need of another linebacker after losing starter Manny Lawson to the Buffalo Bills during the offseason. Harrison will bring veteran championship experience to a team in need of a boost. He has 64 career sacks and was named The Associated Press' Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 after a career-high season. He finished 2012 with a tied team lead of six sacks, along with a pair of forced fumbles. He helped career the Steelers defensive unit to finish No.1 in the league in total defense.