Lolley: Steelers' Contract Situations

[Chadman]

I strongly believe that the Steelers will restructure Harrison's contract and Deebo will return for another season at a much lower salary.

Agreed- cutting Harrison all together would bring the angry hoardes to the door, not to mention weaken the team.

[Steelhere10]

A big name player have to go period... And i think Harrison wont play for a couple of mills, he may take the Ward route praying that someone will pay him then end up back/retiring.

[BigRob]

Ok I am confused. It has been reported here on Planetsteelers that the Steelers would be close to $30 million over the cap. But Lolley is saying only $13 million. Is this correct? If so this is great news. They aren't in bad shape at all.

The "$13 million dollars" Does not include the Restricted Free-Agent tenders. If you include these and the likely-to-be earned incentives, we are probably closer to 20 to 21 million dollars over the cap.

Also count the fact we need to lock-up Lewis and maybe Allen long-term this off-season and you have a limited cap situation even after cuts and restructures.

[BigRob]

Harrison has already said he would agree to a salary cut to stay. I think he'll get that chance.

He meant he would restructure. I think they will cut him and try to sign him to a very small deal.

[phillyesq]

He meant he would restructure. I think they will cut him and try to sign him to a very small deal.

I'd like to see the statements because I thought I heard pay cut as well.

Last year, Harrison's agent was pushing for a restructure, in part because he knew that it would make it more difficult for the Steelers to cut Harrison this year if he restructured last year. The Steelers didn't bite.

[BigRob]

I'd like to see the statements because I thought I heard pay cut as well.

Last year, Harrison's agent was pushing for a restructure, in part because he knew that it would make it more difficult for the Steelers to cut Harrison this year if he restructured last year. The Steelers didn't bite.

How much pride does James Harrison have? He must ask himself if he can start over on another team/scheme at his age and succeed. Or does he take a real pay cut and play one more year for the Steelers and cement his legacy?

If I'm the Steelers I am cutting him to realize the largest possible gain towards the cap and then trying to re-sign him to a team friendly deal.

I also heard today that teams actually can designate two cut players as post June 1 cuts.

[Slapstick]

IIRC, James Harrison restructured his contract in both 2011 and 2012...while it helped the Steelers get under the cap, it also paid James a crapload of money up front...

Last year, and perhaps James agrees with me, he was paid for work that he didn't do...

[Crash]

Same with Troy.

I guess he can go too.

[Oviedo]

I strongly believe that the Steelers will restructure Harrison's contract and Deebo will return for another season at a much lower salary.

I think the Steelers definition of a "lower salary" will be much different than Harrison's. Wouldn't surprise me at all if Harriosn was not back.

[hawaiiansteel]

I think the Steelers definition of a "lower salary" will be much different than Harrison's. Wouldn't surprise me at all if Harriosn was not back.

it honestly wouldn't surprise me either way. I just think Harrison can still play and the Steelers don't have anyone as good to play ROLB next season and that Deebo doesn't want his Steeler career to end this way.

[papillon]

it honestly wouldn't surprise me either way. I just think Harrison can still play and the Steelers don't have anyone as good to play ROLB next season and that Deebo doesn't want his Steeler career to end this way.

Not only do the Steelers not have anyone to play ROLB they don't have anyone even remotely close to James Harrison's level. He's healthy going into the off season, the time off will help and he'll be ready to be the James we all know and love in 2013. He'll record double digit sacks next year and might get 12-14. He was playing really well at the end of the season.

Pappy