March 13th, 2009 
Matt Loede 
Posted in 
Since the end of the 2008 season and their 6th Super Bowl trophy was hoisted, the Steelers have been trying to get a deal done with defensive MVP and outstanding linebacker James Harrison. Problem is, a deal is not even close to being reached according to today’s Pittsburgh Post Gazette:
The Steelers remain far apart in their negotiations with outside linebacker James Harrison, whom they would like to reward with a new contract before the 2009 season. … negotiations with Harrison have slowed, and the sides remain far apart on a new contract for the NFL’s defensive player of the year. Harrison has one year remaining on a contract that will pay him $1.4 million in 2009, and it is not likely there will be an agreement anytime soon on a new deal.
The Steelers will continue to try to come up with a way to get Harrison a new deal well before the start of training camp in July, but without a new deal, there is going to be tons of questions about his status and going into this year as his possible final one as a Steeler.
Push will come to shove eventually on Harrison, and a deal will have to get done or the Steelers very well could lose him next year in free agency.
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This is not good news in my opinion. Obviously, in this day and age, hardly anyone is irreplaceable. But Harrison comes about as close as one can in a defensive player.
I guess this is what happens when you are the Defensive Player of the Year with your contract coming up.