Steelers OT Ryan Harris retires from football

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a very smart organization in many ways. If there are questions about what decisions they make, the answer to those questions normally comes to fruition a few days later.

For instance, when the team signed wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey to a new contract prior to the 2016 season, people shook their heads. Then news broke of Martavis Bryant’s year-long suspension.

When the team reached out to Chris Hubbard and put a tender on the restricted free agent, some wondered why. Well, the reason very well could be the fact offensive tackle Ryan Harris was planning to retire, and has reportedly done so.

After 10 years in the NFL, and only one with the black and gold, Harris is calling it a career. Once Harris officially files his retirement paperwork, it will save the Steelers roughly $2 million dollars on their salary cap.

The team will be looking to take care of left tackle Alejandro Villanueva this offseason, has Hubbard as a backup and will hope Jerald Hawkins, the team’s 4th round draft pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, will be able to be a swing tackle to help solidify the tackle position this season.

Harris retires with a Super Bowl win with the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50, and only seeing 5 games with the Steelers before being placed on injured reserve with a shin injury.

We at BTSC, and all Steelers fans, with Harris the best in his retirement!

UPDATE: Harris made the decision official on his verified Twitter page.