The Pittsburgh Steelers' free agency plans have taken shape, and while some more moves will trickle in, the majority of the big deals are likely done. However, fans are still questioning why the team has held onto veteran linebacker Malik Harrison.
Brought in on a healthy contract last year, the hope was that Harrison could be an upgrade to the third linebacker role for this team. He would need to provide stout run-stopping ability and solid special teams snaps.
Harrison provided neither.
Despite a respectable cap hit, it seems like Harrison is safe. However, fans wanting his exit from the team may still get their wish.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have no incentive to release LB Malik Harrison right now
While an additional $4.75 million in cap space is nothing to sneeze at, this isn’t money that the Steelers desperately needed. The majority of their big offseason moves are wrapped up, and while Aaron Rodgers may be back, the team can comfortably afford his contract.
That doesn’t justify keeping Harrison, though, and you shouldn’t overpay for a player just because you can afford to do so.
The logic for keeping him runs deeper. For starters, rumors about Patrick Queen have been swirling for a few days. If he were dealt, you would want the additional security that Harrison provides.
We should have our answer on Queen soon, but assuming he is retained, that doesn’t mean you have to turn around and cut Harrison right away. His contract doesn’t necessitate it.
Unlike the aforementioned Queen, Harrison’s deal doesn’t include any roster bonuses that need to be paid out. The Steelers could have cut him last week, today, or even into the summer, and his cap savings are all the same.
With ample cap space, this team can hold onto him for however long they like. Perhaps the right linebacker falls to them in the draft. Boom, Harrison can be cut the next day. Maybe you open up competition in the summer, and he loses out. No problem, cut him in August and free up some cap space for the regular season.
While not my personal choice, there is still a real chance he sticks around. The core special teams players on this roster have been gutted. Pittsburgh may value a little stability there.
For those of you wondering what Malik Harrison is still doing on this roster, just know that he can be cut at any time with no harm done to the team. He certainly isn’t out of the woods yet despite avoiding being an early cut for the team.