James Harrison rumors: No team, including Chiefs, made waiver claim

Not a single NFL team decided to claim newly released linebacker James Harrison after the Pittsburgh Steelers placed him on waivers.

Despite overwhelming support from Chiefs Kingdom and rumored interest from at least the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison went unclaimed through the NFL’s waiver process after Mike Tomlin’s team decided to part ways from the franchise icon and longtime pass rusher.

The Steelers release of Harrison surprised the entire NFL over the holiday weekend as the team decided to use his roster spot to make way for Marcus Gilbert to return from injury to the active roster. Immediately it was rumored that several playoff bound teams could benefit from Harrison’s presence, experience and pass rushing prowess, and teams in the AFC were listed as favorites to potentially put in a waiver claim.

Yet according to Field Yates, not a single team decided it was worth it.

Now that he is a free agent, it’s possible that he could still sign with any number of teams, including the very teams rumored to be interested in the first place. The Chiefs, for example, could certainly use another live body among their pass rushing options since Dee Ford is out for the season and Dadi Nicolas has never been available. Tanoh Kpassagnon is still too raw to depend upon and that leaves Justin Houston and a limited Tamba Hali as the only real reliable options for the postseason.

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Harrison would also add plenty of playoff experience and knowledge of how to best the Steelers for any team that signs him, both of which again would make him ideal for the Chiefs. However, Brett Veach must feel as general manager that Harrison’s best days are far enough behind him that he wouldn’t be the on-field asset that some are projecting him to still be.