A former Bengals legend has told James Harrison to stop trying to recruit Joe Burrow to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The moment came after Harrison admitted on his podcast that he has been talking to Burrow on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Harrison said he has encouraged Burrow to talk to Bengals owner Mike Brown about a possible trade to Pittsburgh.
This did not sit well with former Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones. Jones responded strongly on his Instagram story. “Let me tell y’all something. I love Jay. I love Jay H. There ain’t no question about it. But man, stop doing that sh–t, man. You know what it is over here. It’s orange and black, not sh*ty and black.”Jones said.
James Harrison played for the Bengals early in his career before becoming a star with the Steelers. He won two Super Bowls in Pittsburgh and is a former Defensive Player of the Year. On the “Deebo & Joe” podcast with Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Haden, Harrison openly said he has been in contact with Burrow. He told the hosts that he has been pushing Burrow to consider joining the Steelers in “black and gold”.
Bengals Legend Tells James Harrison to Stop Recruiting Joe Burrow to Steelers
Bengals Legend Tells James Harrison to Stop Recruiting Joe Burrow to Steelers (Imagn Iages)
Joe Burrow is the face of the Bengals. He was drafted first overall in 2020 and has led Cincinnati to the playoffs multiple times. In the 2025 season, he threw for over 4,000 yards and helped the team reach the postseason. Burrow signed a massive contract extension with the Bengals and has always spoken positively about playing in Cincinnati.
The exchange has brought attention to the strong rivalry between the Steelers and Bengals in the AFC North.
James Harrison ’s Recruitment Attempt Highlights Deep AFC North Rivalry
James Harrison’s comments show how competitive the AFC North division is. Harrison spent most of his career with the Steelers and clearly wants to bring a top quarterback to Pittsburgh. Hispodcast comments were made in a joking way, but they stilltouched a nerve with Bengals fans and former players.
For now, there is no sign that Burrow wants to leave Cincinnati. He has a long-term contract and has built a strong connection with the city and the fans. Harrison’s attempt to recruit him is unlikely to succeed, but it adds more fuel to the already heated rivalry between the two teams.
The situation reminds everyone how personal and competitive things can get in the NFL.