LB Harrison Inked to 6-Year, $51.75 Deal

The signing that a lot of Steelers fans were concerned about need not be a concern any longer, as NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison is signed, sealed and delivered.

The outside linebacker today agreed on a deal that will pay him a reported $51.75 million over six seasons. The contract makes him the second highest-paid player in Steelers history.

The deal, that will be announced tomorro will pay him a guaranteed $20 million. It’s a guarantee second only on the team to Ben Roethlisberger, who signed a $102 million, eight-year contract last year that will pay him a guaranteed $36 million.

Last season he had a record 16 sacks in 15 games, and his 100-yard interception return for a TD—the longest scoring play in Super Bowl history—helped the Steelers win the Super Bowl with a 27-23 over the Cardinals.

The road to being a superstar was not easy for Harrison, as he was cut four times earlier in his career. The 30-year-old was about to enter the final season of a $5.5 million, four-year contract he signed as a backup in 2006. He would have made $1.4 million this season.

“James is pleased he will be a Steelers for the rest of his NFL career, in all probability, which is what he wanted,” said Bill Parise, Harrison’s agent. “The contract is reflective of him being the defensive player of the year.”