James Harrison: Steelers or Titans

ByScott Brown ESPN logo
Saturday, March 21, 2015

PITTSBURGH -- James Harrison took to social media Saturday to announce he will decide between re-signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers or joining Dick LeBeau with the Tennessee Titans.



The five-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker posted a video on Instagram that featured his two young sons, with one saying he should return to the Steelers and the other saying he should sign with the Titans.



Harrison said he will "pray" before making a decision.



"The opinions of my support team are split, but for me, my love for the man who both started, and made my career what it is, is undeniable," Harrison wrote on Instagram. "There are no words that I can find that would do justice for everything Dick LeBeau has done for me & my career and nothing can compare to that!



"I also have a great amount of love for Steelers Nation & the Steelers organization. I'm going to pray on this and let God guide me in the right direction."



Among free-agent outside linebackers, Harrison, who turns 37 in May, is the best fit for the Steelers.



LeBeau parted ways with the Steelers in January after 11 seasons as the team's defensive coordinator. He joined coach Ken Whisenhunt's staff with the Titans in February as an assistant head coach/defense.



LeBeau will run the defense, and the Titans apparently still covet Harrison after re-signing outside linebacker Derrick Morgan and also signing Brian Orakpo earlier this month.



A rejuvenated Harrison emerged as the Steelers' best pass rusher in 2014 after they talked him out of retirement following the loss of starting outside linebacker Jarvis Jones.



Harrison recorded 5.5 sacks -- third-most on the Steelers -- in 11 regular-season games despite having to play his way into shape at the age of 36.



Harrison had officially retired at Steelers headquarters two days before the team's season opener, but veterans such as Troy Polamalu, Brett Keisel and Ike Taylor persuaded the five-time Pro Bowler and 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year to return for one more season.



Harrison, who is third on the Steelers' all-time list with 69.5 career sacks, turned in one of the most remarkable plays in Super Bowl history in 2008. He feigned a blitz with the Arizona Cardinals at the Steelers 1-yard line and then dropped into coverage. Harrison picked off a slant pass and rumbled 100 yards for the touchdown with no time left in the first half.



LeBeau has called it the greatest play in Super Bowl history.



Harrison played parts of 12 seasons for the Steelers in two stints.



The Steelers released Harrison in 2013 after the two sides could not agree on a pay cut. The Bengals signed Harrison to a two-year contract but they released him after Harrison played limited snaps in Cincinnati in 2013.



Harrison later put retirement on hold after Jones went down with a dislocated wrist in a Steelers' win over the Carolina Panthers.



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