Written by Jeremy Fowler at ESPN.com
Linebacker James Harrison is doubling down on his late-career resurgence.
Harrison prefers a two-year contract in free agency, according to agent Bill Parise, indicating the 38-year-old has considered playing to age 40.
Talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers — who are on record as wanting Harrison back — are preliminary. Free agency kicks off March 9, but the Steelers can sign Harrison before then.
“Of course James wants to be in Pittsburgh,” Parise said.
In 2016, Harrison led the team with five sacks in the regular season and added 2.5 more in the playoffs. Harrison played nearly 600 snaps, more than any other Steelers outside linebacker. Harrison owns the Steelers’ career sack record with 79.5.
The oldest NFL player to get at least half a sack is Clay Matthews Jr. in 1996 at age 40 years and 282 days, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Harrison will be 39 on May 4.
Last offseason, Harrison underwent intense offseason training to ensure he could handle the rigors of another NFL season. Harrison removed any doubt this time, telling reporters after last month’s AFC Championship Game loss, “I’m not done.”
By 2014, Harrison had been released by Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in back-to-back years and announced his retirement on social media. But the Steelers re-signed Harrison because of injuries at linebacker, then signed him to a two-year, $2.75-million contract, which he outperformed. He has been the Steelers’ best late-season pass-rusher the last two years.
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