The Steelers and NFL MVP linebacker James Harrison are not close on a new deal according to an article today on ESPN that quotes Harrison’s agent – Bill Parise.
“We’re talking and meeting pretty regularly, almost daily, but we’re having a difficult time getting to where we need to be,” Parise said on the site. “I would say talks are progressing but not necessarily yielding the results that we would expect.”
The team wants to get Harrison locked up now, this even though he’s not due to hit the free agent market till after the 2010 season. He’s one of a number of Steelers that will be a free agent after 2010. Hines Ward is included on that list as well.
Back to Harrison, the article says that length of a new deal is not the primary issue, as the deal would be in the range of five to six years. But the two sides are far apart when it comes to the all-mighty dollar, and how it would be distributed over the length of the contract.
“I think the Steelers are trying to get a deal done, too,” Parise said. “It’s just right now we’re not close.”
Harrison had 101 tackles, 16 sacks and seven forced fumbles for the Super Bowl champs last season.
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BMSLou
February 25, 2009 at 6:04 pm
GET IT DONE STEELERS!! We’ll already have enough to worry about after next year.
mark
February 25, 2009 at 7:00 pm
This is ridiculous! Harrison has been underpaid for 2 years now. My only concern is are the Steelers worried that Harrison wont be a top player at the end of the contract term? Harrison is young, but not that young. Personally, I want Harrison locked up for at least 3 more years. I am sure the Steelers can work this out. They are nuts if they dont sign Harrison to this well deserved extension.
Jay
February 25, 2009 at 9:34 pm
The Steelers: I bleed black and gold for this team but they are and have definitely been an enigma to me. You cannot argue with their success as they put out Vince Lombardi trophy after Vince Lombardi trophy yet they always seem to let key players go and delay on contracts as well as skimp on the money within the contracts. As long as they keep winning I’ll just scratch my temple, raise a brow, smile ear to ear and say “How do they do it?!?”
mark
February 26, 2009 at 10:21 am
Jay, it is true what you say. I think its just policy to not give aging players 3 contracts. Lets face it, we have seen them NOT resign players only to see them have no luck anywhere else. We have also missed the emark a few times too. I think they will sign Harrison and work on Hines and Heath next.
Jay
February 27, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Agreed…keep in mind this is only Harrison’s second contract and, due to him only being a starter for two years (in light of being 30 plus years old), he has A LOT of tread left on his tires…I agree about Heath and Hines next…But, Mark…who do we take in the first three rounds???