Cincinnati closing in on linebacker Harrison
WASHINGTON, April 15, (RTRS): The Cincinnati Bengals are working on a deal to sign former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison that could be finalized this week, according to multiple reports Sunday.
NFL.com reported that Harrison and the Bengals were planning to get together Sunday to discuss a contract, but that meeting is on hold for at least a day.
Harrison and former Miami Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby came to Cincinnati last week to visit with Bengals officials. The team is trying to fill a linebacker spot left by Manny Lawson, a starter last year who signed with the Buffalo Bills during the offseason.
Last month, the 34-year-old Harrison refused to take a pay cut requested by the Steelers and was waived. He is due to make $6.57 million in 2013. The Pittsburgh PostGazette reported that the Steelers are not interested in re-signing him.
The Pittsburgh Steelers matched the offer sheet wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders signed with the New England Patriots last week, the team announced.
The team matched the one-year, $2.5 million offer sheet for the restricted free-agent wide receiver, USA Today reported.
The New England Patriots have discussed the possibility of trading Jeff Demps, according to the Boston Herald. Demps said last month he plans to give his track career higher priority than his NFL career at this point.
With the signing of quarterback Matt Cassel, the Minnesota Vikings may move Joe Webb to wide receiver.
“(Webb) is such a talented athlete that we want to make sure that we’re doing the right thing by him and our team, as well,” coach Leslie Frazier told The Minnapolis Star Tribune. “That’s something we’ll continue to discuss as we go forward.”