^Update: Steelers tell Harrison door is closed

[Reg]

08:06 AM ET 02.12 | Steelers linebacker James Harrison is willing to restructure his contract, though a pay cut isn't his likely preference, obviously. [That] stubborn streak could make him an ex-Steeler. Harrison is scheduled to earn $6.57 million in 2013 and $7.57 million in '14. That's a big salary-cap number for a pass-rusher who turns 35 in May, is coming off knee surgery a year ago and is two years removed from two back surgeries. Harrison may be banged up, but it's shortsighted to label him old. ... Are the Steelers better off with Harrison on their payroll, even in a more limited role, at a fraction of his salary? Yes, they are. To believe otherwise is delusional. ... At the same time, [agent Bill Parise] said the Steelers made no assurances they won't release Harrison.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[DupuisLesRapide]

Steelers linebacker James Harrison is willing to restructure his contract. Smart man.

Harrison won't take a pay cut, however, and that stubborn streak could make him an ex-Steeler.

Harrison is scheduled to earn $6.57 million in 2013 and $7.57 million in '14. That's a big salary-cap number for a pass-rusher who turns 35 in May, is coming off knee surgery a year ago and is two years removed from two back surgeries.


TribLive

Harrison has always been one of my least favorite Steelers, despite his work on the field. This really is not surprising.

[G-men]

Yeah I think he's on his way out. He isn't worth the problems anymore

[Reg]

07:57 AM ET 03.08 | The clock is ticking. Negotiations between the Steelers and the agent for James Harrison continue, but neither side has found anything to their liking on a new deal, increasing the chances that the star outside linebacker could be released soon. ... [Harrison] has two years left on a contract that is scheduled to pay him a $6.57 million salary this season. Bill Parise, Harrison's agent and a Beaver County resident, declined comment other than to say, "We absolutely want to do this, we absolutely want to be in Pittsburgh." The Steelers want him to take a pay cut, a source familiar with the negotiations said, but the sides cannot agree on just how that would work in a new deal. Harrison also has a salary for 2014 at $7,575,000.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Reg]

James Harrison released by Steelers

01:18 PM ET 03.09 | The Steelers have released James Harrison, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and 2008 Defensive Player of the Year, in a salary cap move just before the start of free agency. Harrison was owed $6.57 million this season, and with the cap-strapped Steelers looking to get younger, Harrison was more of a luxury than a necessity. It almost didn't end this way, though. Reports indicated the two sides met through Friday in an effort to work out a deal for the 2013 season, but it wasn't to be. Harrison was undrafted out of Kent State University in 2002, and was released by both Pittsburgh and Baltimore before ending up back with the Steelers in 2004 due to an injury to outside linebacker Clark Haggans.

[Reg]

By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

The Pittsburgh Steelers told linebacker James Harrison that the team has no plans to re-sign him, a source told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Harrison, 34, was cut by the Steelers on March 9 after he refused to take a pay cut. The five-time Pro Bowl player was scheduled to make $6.57 million in 2013.

Harrison has received very little interest in free agency, and he was taking a free-agent visit in Baltimore on Sunday when the Ravens agreed to terms with Elvis Dumervil.

Harrison's agent told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that he hasn't closed the door on his client returning to Pittsburgh.

The leading candidate to replace Harrison is Jason Worilds, a 2009 second-round pick.

I believe that Jason Worilds is chomping at the bit to prove he is capable of being that," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said last week at the NFL owners meetings.