Ex-Steeler Harrison's Surprising Signing With Patriots: Reaction

PITTSBURGH, PA - James Harrison signing with the New Patriots Tuesday sent shockwaves rippling through Pittsburgh and the NFL. The former Steelers linebacker and all-time sacks leader signed a one-year deal with the team’s bitter rival three days after his unceremonious release by the Steelers.

Here’s what football writers are saying about the move:

Peter King, Sports Illustrated: “For the Patriots, imagine taking this man who desperately wants to play significant football, who surely now wants to show the Steelers they made a mistake with the release and the slim 2017 usage, and who lives to be an impact player in the playoffs. What’s the downside? I don’t see it.”

Brian DeArdo, 247Sports: “It appears that instead of trying to gain some sort of psychological edge against the Steelers, the Patriots signed Harrison simply to improve a pass rush that has 12 less sacks (38) than the Steelers (50) this season.”

Eric Edholm, Pro Football Weekly: “The Harrison revenge angle is fun — and it would fit the pattern of (Patriots coach) Bill Belichick bringing in hungry veterans who could face a rival team with extra motivation.”

Erik Lambert, NFLMocks.com: “To see Harrison depart Pittsburgh and join their greatest rival in the New England Patriots? No doubt many fans will feel a sense of betrayal from the longtime defensive star and possible future Hall of Famer.”

Nate Davis, USA Today: “With the likelihood the Patriots and Pittsburgh are headed for a showdown in the AFC Championship Game, adding a player with Harrison's institutional knowledge of the Steelers and added motivation to beat his former team is a patented Bill Belichick move.”

Mike Reiss, ESPN: ‘“The Patriots have a need (at linebacker), Harrison has played in big games, and there are big games ahead -- possibly against Harrison’s former team, the Steelers.”

Photo: Associated Press.