NFL Notes: James Harrison, Colts, Jets, Vikings

James Harrison

• Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that James Harrison forced his way out of the Steelers organization by skipping and sleeping during team meetings and leaving the stadium during game days.
• According to Fowler’s source, Harrison told teammates he was “trying to get traded, released or placed on injured reserve“, while he would miss practices for “various injuries” and host his power-lifting sessions during the same week or day of practice.
• Multiple Steelers players came forward against Harrison, including C Maurkice Pouncey saying the veteran blamed the organization for their disconnect, instead of announcing that he wanted to leave: “If you didn’t want to be here, come out and say it. “Don’t make it look like it’s the team’s fault. … You think the team and the organization wanted to get rid of James Harrison? Come on, now. If I wanted out, I wouldn’t let the team take the blame for it.”
• Steelers LB Bud Dupree added that Harrison “chose to leave” and that he made “certain decisions” that led to these issues: “I don’t want the media to portray that we’re the reason he left. That ain’t the reason. He chose to leave. He made certain decisions, and his actions got him to this circumstance.”

Colts

Colts HC Chuck Pagano told his players that this is going to be the “last rodeo” with this team on Sunday, but it’s hard to not read his comments and think he’s also talking about his job status.

“It’s the last rodeo, is what I told them,” Pagano said, via Colts.com. “I had a picture of a guy on a bucking bronco with the spurs on it. It’s our last ride together. No team that I’ve ever been a part of has ever been the same, regardless of the record. That’s just the National Football League. This is our last rodeo together. We’re going to enjoy and embrace every single second of it and get obsessed with completion. That’s what successful people do — they get obsessed with completion. We need to complete this season. No better way than to go out with a win.”

Jets

• Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that there’s a “strong belief” Jets’ ownership wants HC Todd Bowles to return next year and continue the team’s rebuild.
• Mehta says that owners Woody and Christopher Johnson have put a premium on stability at head coach and general manager during this rebuilding process.

Vikings

• Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said QB Teddy Bridgewater is “ready to go” if needed: “He’s doing great. He’s ready to go. Anytime he gets the call, he’s ready to roll. I don’t have any questions about putting him in a game. Or if anything ever happens, he’s going.” (Chris Tomasson)