Pittsburgh Steelers Rumors: James Harrison, Santonio Holmes Want To Return

We have seen players leave the Pittsburgh Steelers and before long they are itching to come back. That is a trend that seemingly continues today, at least according to current Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor.

Oct 13, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker

(92) before the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bengals beat the Bills 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor noted on his radio show Tuesday that both James Harrison and Santonio Holmes would like to return to the Steelers this year.

While both players are free agents and the Steelers may make some sense for both guys, at the end of the day it is a terrible idea.

Harrison refused a pay cut prior to last season and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals where he wasn’t very effective and was released. While many fans would love to have Harrison back, he wasn’t great his last couple of seasons in Pittsburgh and isn’t getting any younger. He’s an injury risk and it is extremely doubtful how much he could help this current team.

Even though I looked yesterday at the fact that the Steelers were giving UCLA rookie Jordan Zumwalt a look on the outside and the team still needs depth at the position, Harrison is not the answer.

The same can be said for Holmes, who was traded from the Steelers to the New York Jets in 2010 after allegations of a failed recreational drug test.

Holmes hasn’t been productive in New York and the Steelers seem to be content with free-agent signings Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey, along with drafting Clemson rookie Martavis Bryant.

It is nice to see that veterans like Harrison and Holmes enjoyed their time in Pittsburgh and would want to return, but the Steelers need to do what they did the first time around and move on from both players.