clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Report: James Harrison to return to Steelers for his 14th NFL season

A recent report from James Harrison's agent signals that the long time Steelers pass rusher will be back for another season in 2016.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN Staff Writer, Jeremy Fowler, reported today that James Harrison will play one more season for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This report was based in a comment from Harrison's agent, Bill Parise.

"He's under contract for one more year," said Parise."We plan to honor that."

Harrison just finished his twelfth season in the NFL on the roster of the franchise which he has played on for the large majority of his career in Pittsburgh. Despite being 37 years old at the start of the season and coming out of retirement to play for the team in the middle of the 2014 season, Harrison recorded the third most sacks for a team that registered the third most sacks in the NFL this year. He also forced two fumbles, recorded four pass defenses and even made an interception.

Fowler's report also shows Colbert expressing his own appreciation for Harrison and his expecting of no. 92 to return for another year.

"He teaches guys how to be pros," said Colbert about Harrison's impact on the Steelers' younger players.

Harrison currently ranks 37th on the all time sack list for NFL players with 76.5 in his career. All but two of those recorded sacks have been when he's been a Steeler, making him just 2.5 sacks shy of Jason Gildon's franchise record of 77 career sacks.

Pittsburgh will be looking for more of their younger players to step up at the outside linebacker position in 2016. Bud Dupree's four sacks in his rookie season tied him for fifth on the team with veterans Arthur Moats and safety Will Allen, but the team will need more than that as he progresses in his career. Pending on what Pittsburgh chooses to do in free agency and their investments from the NFL draft, Harrison may again see considerable playing time in 2016 as the team looks to develop an even stronger pass rush than what brought the defense alive in 2015.