If you believe the rumors, a few AFC powers are interested in potentially adding veteran linebacker James Harrison before the playoffs begin.
The Pittsburgh Steelers surprised their own fans and the rest of the NFL when they released linebacker James Harrison, the team’s feared pass rusher, earlier this week. Immediately, fan bases of several franchises, including the Kansas City Chiefs, began to ask whether or not their favorite team would put in a waiver claim.
Harrison is clearly on his last legs in the NFL as a pass rushing force, but even at the age of 39, he’s still feared among quarterbacks and has looked very strong in the playoffs even in recent years. Despite his age, adding a seasoned linebacker like Harrison could bolster a team who could use some pass rushing help down the stretch.
It’s hard to find quality help this time of year, but for most teams, Harrison would offer even more than that. For teams like the Chiefs, who are already hurting at pass rusher given the loss of Dee Ford on the season and the limited availability of Tamba Hali at key points, the Chiefs could certainly use some further quality depth. Yet even more is the addition of a member of the Steelers, as Harrison could certainly help other teams figure out how to best Ben Roethlisberger and company.
So far, rumors have the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots as reportedly being interested in adding Harrison. Chiefs fans and analysts also expect Kansas City to also be interested. The Chiefs have already added veteran help in the secondary near the end of the year with the recent signing of Darrelle Revis, so it wouldn’t be out of line to add Harrison as well.
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For some reason, the league hasn’t provided any answers just yet as to where Harrison is headed after being placed on waivers. Some team is going to be very happy, however, knowing their postseason roster is strengthened in myriad ways.