Steelers reach six-year, $51.7M deal

[DC4]

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.

 

[getyappcrnredy24]

Steelers linebacker James Harrison cashed in on his incredible 2008 season by agreeing to a new contract Monday that is worth $51.175 million over the next six seasons.

Sack artists at linebacker

James Harrison's 16 sacks last season, when he was voted NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the AP, were the third most by any linebacker. Tops in '08:
Sacks Notable
DeMarcus Ware 20.0 34.0 sacks in last 2 seasons
Joey Porter 17.5 4-time Pro Bowl selection
James Harrison 16.0 2008 1st-team All-Pro

Harrison was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year last season and had a 100-yard interception return before the half in the Steelers' Super Bowl victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He was scheduled to make $1.4 million this season, the final year of his contract.

Included in the contract, which will be officially announced Tuesday, is about $20 million in bonuses.

"James is pleased he will be a Steeler for the rest of his NFL career, in all probability, which is what he wanted," Bill Parise, Harrison's agent, told The Associated Press. "The contract is reflective of him being the defensive player of the year."

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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4064291

Nice move by them IMO. Would have been a huge loss had they lost him next year or whenever it was that his contract was up.

 

[Dice-J]

Typo on sportscenter said 6 year/1.75 million

 

[.GR]

Had to get him locked up.