Update: Negotiations between Steelers, Harrison continue

By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers have have been discussing the contract situation of James Harrison with his agent, Bill Parise, to try to reduce the linebacker's salary cap hit for 2013.

Harrison, who will be 35 in two months, is scheduled to make salaries of $6.57 million this season and $7.575 million in 2014 in the final two years of his contract.

Parise did not say if those discussions include a request by the Steelers for a reduction in salary or a restructured contract that could spread out the salary cap hit this year with an extension that neither side would expect to be fulfilled.

"We're talking," Parise said. "Both sides want to try to do something. We're trying to find common ground."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/steelers-discuss-contract-renegotiation-with-harrison-677997/#ixzz2MkfAdQRF

I hope he reduces his contract recognizing that his ailments have hurt us the last two years. Well his and a few others, but on defense his were key.

I think he has one year left in him, maybe two. I have a feeling though, with a full off-season being healthy and being able to train, he could have a good season in 2013.

He needs to suck it up and cut some salary weight for the good of the team...we all know this won't happen however.

Negotiations between Steelers, Harrison continue

By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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, the NFL defensive player of the year in 2008 and a five-time Pro Bowler, 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. His salaries are not guaranteed.

The likely deadline for a decision on a new contract would be Tuesday because the NFL calendar year begins at 4 p.m. that day, and the Steelers must be in salary-cap compliance then, when free agency also starts.

Although hampered by August knee surgery that kept him out of the first three games last season, Harrison started at his right outside linebacker spot the remaining 13 games and played better as the season went on and his knee grew stronger.

He finished with six sacks, tying for the team lead.

Harrison, who turns 34 in two months, has led the team or tied for the team lead in sacks in five of the six years since 2007, when he replaced Joey Porter as a starter.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/negotiations-between-steelers-harrison-continue-678405/#ixzz2MwOSNrg7

Quote :

Steelers ask James Harrison to take a pay cut

By Neal Coolong

Post-Gazette reporter Ed Bouchette reported the Steelers and outside linebacker James Harrison are at an impasse in negotiations surrounding the contract of the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year, and it may lead to his release in the very near future.

Bouchette wrote the main hold-up is how a reduced salary for this season would work, indicating the discussion involves another year on his current deal, which is scheduled to pay him around $7.5 million this season. That money is not guaranteed, so Harrison has the choice of either taking what the Steelers are offering or seeing what he can get on the free agent circuit.

The issue for the Steelers lays simply in the question of depth. Logically speaking, if they felt they had the ability to move on without Harrison, they likely wouldn't be talking about re-working his deal at all.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/3/8/4078386/steelers-ask-james-harrison-to-take-a-pay-cut

They should be asking Woodley to take a cut as well.

Are Steelers on verge of cutting James harrison?

Mar-8-3/8/2013 2:11:05 PM


The reported talks between the Pittsburgh Steelers and veteran linebacker James Harrison are apparently not going well. The Steelers are on the verge of cutting Harrison according to Mike Garafolo of USA Today.

Harrison is balking at cutting any of the $6.57 million bae salary he is due this season but it is questionable how much interest he would generate on the open market. Harrison turn 35 in May and had only six sacks last year, his lowest sack total since becoming a full-time player during the 2007. Harrison was also passed over for the Pro Bowl last season after five straight appearances.




http://www.theredzone.org/BlogDescription/tabid/61/EntryId/33388/Are-Steelers-on-verge-of-cutting-James-harrison-/Default.aspx

I'd like to have him for one more year but it has to be for less than 4 mil

They will be looking for LB talent in the draft this year for sure.

Drizztbob wrote:

They will be looking for LB talent in the draft this year for sure.

I think you are right on this the draft has alot of talent in the linebacker department this year.