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DC4
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PITTSBURGH -- James Harrison isn't one of the NFL's biggest bargains any longer.
The Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker reached terms Monday on a $51.75 million, six-year contract that will make him the second highest-paid player in franchise history.
The contract set to be announced Tuesday will pay the NFL Defensive Player of the Year a guaranteed $20 million -- more than any other player in team history except Ben Roethlisberger. The quarterback signed a $102 million, eight-year contract last year that will pay him a guaranteed $36 million.
Harrison broke into the Steelers lineup in 2007 and had 8½ sacks. He had a Steelers-record 16 sacks in 15 games last season, and his 100-yard interception return for a TD -- the longest scoring play in Super Bowl history -- helped the Steelers beat Arizona 27-23 for their second title in four seasons.
Harrison, cut four times earlier in his career, cashed in after being an NFL starter only two seasons. The 30-year-old Harrison 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.