Gerry: Harrison really doesn't have much leverage

Thursday, 14 February 2013 15:42

Written by Gerry Dulac

            James Harrison has said he won’t take a pay cut to play for the Steelers in 2013, as though he has some leverage in the matter.

            But he really doesn’t.

            Harrison has two years remaining on a contract he signed in 2009 and is scheduled to make $6.57 million next season and $7.575 million in 2014. He said he has renegotiated his contract twice in the past to help the Steelers get under the salary cap in recent years.

            Let’s say the Steelers tell Harrison he has to take a pay cut of $3.5 million – the amount nose tackle Casey Hampton had to take last season?

            Does Harrison refuse?

            If he does, he has to consider this: Is there another NFL team out there willing to pay him $3 million next season?

Will someone pay him -- at age 35, with his body breaking down – as much as the Steelers were offering? After a season in which he had only six sacks?

            Maybe there is. But, maybe, there isn’t.

            Then Harrison has no other option. He can either accept the Steelers offer and play one more season at a reduced rate. Or he can be released and hope some team is willing to pay him the amount he refused in the first place from the Steelers.

            It’s a gamble Casey Hampton didn’t take. And one I’m not so sure Harrison will take, either.