Dean Michaels

The Cincinnati Bengals have reached an agreement with former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison to a two-year contract.

"Whodey!!!!!!!!!!! Hello Cincinnati!!!!" Harrison said on his Twitter account after the deal was announced.

The Bengals didn't confirm the deal because it hadn't been signed, while Harrison's agent Bill Parise said the linebacker has taken a physical and all of the contract details have been worked out.

"Any time you can get James Harrison on your team, it's a great day," Parise told the team's official website, Bengals.com.

With the deal, Harrison got his wish to face his former team, not once but twice, as the Bengals and Steelers will face-off in a Monday night game on Sept. 16 and a Sunday night affair.

Last week, Harrison and the Bengals started negotiating a contract but talks broke off Monday.

Last season with the Steelers, Harrison finished for the team lead with six sacks and had a pair of forced fumbles despite missing the first three games of last season due to a knee injury.

However, the Steelers released Harrison after he refused to take a pay cut, instead of asking LaMarr Woodley and Troy Polamalu to restructure their respective deals.

"I think it's an awesome signing," Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko said. "You know we have a great defense here already, so to add a person like that to our defense is awesome. He brings a lot of toughness, experience and swagger. We just got better as a team today."

"It's always exciting to add a guy that has been a great leader and great player in this league," said left tackle Andrew Whitworth. "He's a guy that plays the game with intensity it takes to win and has done it all."

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis allayed concerns that Harrison will have a hard time adjusting to the Bengals' 4-3 defense.

"He can adjust; he was their adjustor in Pittsburgh," Lewis said. "I have no doubt he can do it. He's got that flexibility and he's a smart, hard-working guy. But it all starts with the fact he's physical against the run."

 

Bengals and James Harrison Agree to Two-Year Deal - NFL 2013