James Harrison Signing With Patriots Is All About Revenge

It’s no secret that this isn’t the James Harrison of 2008. Otherwise the Pittsburgh Steelers never would’ve released him in the first place.

One must remember that the Steelers have 50 sacks this season and that’s with Harrison hardly playing at all. With guys like Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt in place, they should be set for the future on the edge. At the same time to see Harrison depart Pittsburgh and join their greatest rival in the New England Patriots? No doubt many fans will feel a sense of betrayal from the longtime defensive star and possible future Hall of Famer.

The question becomes what motivated Harrison to join that team? Of course the Patriots have a long, decorated history of taking in cheap older veterans and squeezing one more good year or even a few good games out of them. No doubt Harrison would probably explain that the decision was merely motivated by a desire for one more chance at another Super Bowl ring. The Patriots are of course the defending champions and in line for home field advantage in the playoffs.

At the same time this feels like a pure revenge play

Then again Harrison didn’t even bother to feel out other teams that might be interested. Other possible contenders. He went right to the Patriots. There’s no proof but this feels like a personal attempt by him to make sure he gets a crack at the Steelers to show them they made a mistake letting him go. That he still has enough gas in the tank to help a team win games.

Obviously there’s a more than likely chance that the Steelers and Patriots meet again in the playoffs. They’re the two best teams by a considerable margin in the AFC. Both have first round byes too, so the odds of reaching the AFC championship for a rematch are considerably high. This grants Harrison his best possible shot at his former team. No doubt it would be sweet, sweet vengeance if he was able to crush their dreams wearing the uniform of the enemy.