Linebacker Harrison signs with Patriots after being cut by Steelers

James Harrison, a longtime member of the Steelers and winner of two Super Bowls while in Pittsburgh, is switching his allegiances.

Harrison signed a deal with the New England Patriots, landing the 39-year-old linebacker on the opposite side of a bitter AFC rivalry just in time for the start of the postseason.

With a week to go, the Patriots (12-3) sit atop the AFC with the Steelers (12-3) just behind in the No. 2 slot, potentially setting up a rematch of last year’s AFC championship game in which New England was a 36-17 winner.

Pittsburgh cut Harrison, the team’s all-time leader in sacks with 80½, on Saturday. Harrison had played sparingly this season, appearing in five games and finishing his final campaign with the Steelers with just one sack and three tackles.

“There was no animosity or bad feelings. It’s just the business of the NFL,” Bill Parise, Harrison’s agent, told ESPN’s Josina Anderson.

Harrison might not have any bad feelings about being cut, but Steelers fans might about where he landed. The Steelers have historically struggled against the Patriots in the playoffs, losing 4 of 5 meetings dating to a divisional-round game after the 1996 season. Harrison, who had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII, lost twice in the postseason to the Patriots, including last year’s AFC title game, likely his last playoff appearance as a Steeler.

“I’ve played with that guy for a long time,” Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Tuesday of Harrison’s release. “He’s one of the best that I’ve ever played with. Great teammate. So it was shocking. I was a little surprised.”