Patriots sign former Steeler James Harrison

Well, this ought to make the AFC wing of the playoffs even more interesting.

James Harrison, the ferocious, recently released former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, is signing with … the New England Patriots. Harrison shared the news via an Instagram post with an unidentified Patriot:

“Finally… A teammate that’s older than me!” Harrison said, with his selfie taken in the Patriots’ locker room.

The Patriots made it official via a news release:

Signing with a rival is a curious move, but perhaps Kevin Durant’s jump to the Golden State Warriors has taken a bit of stigma out of the idea.

Who didn’t see this coming? Harrison had played sparingly this season, getting into only five games and recording only one sack and three tackles. He’d expressed frustration with his status, and the Steelers finally —inexplicably, given what’s apparently just happened — cut him loose.

Harrison may not be as strong of an on-field contributor any longer, but his presence in the locker room is unmatched. You know how this is going to end: Harrison, in red, white, and blue, reveling as the Steelers succumb in the AFC championship and the Patriots march onward to yet another Super Bowl.

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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.