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James Harrison Publicly Criticizes Steelers for Releasing Linebacker Elandon Roberts

Harrison posted on X that he never saw the cut coming and predicted the team would find out quickly whether it was the right call.

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By Free News Press Editorial Team
Published September 1, 2026 at 1:35 AM PDT

Pittsburgh Steelers legend James Harrison did not stay quiet after the team released veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts during final roster cuts for the 2026 season.

Harrison took to social media to call out the organization directly. "I hope we don't regret this cause I didn't see this coming in a million years," Harrison wrote via X. "You telling me you brought this man in as a camp body? Cause that's damn sure not what it sounded like was happening when he got here. We gon find out quick if this was a good decision or not in Week 1 vs Bijan though."

Roberts had built a strong following in Pittsburgh during a two-year stint with the team from 2023 to 2024. His high-motor, physical style of play made him a fan favorite. He left for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025 but returned to the Steelers just a few weeks ago on a one-year deal.

He made the most of his time in the preseason. Roberts made several notable plays that impressed fans again and reinforced why many in Steelers Nation were surprised by the cut. The Steelers acknowledged the door remains open for a possible reunion with Roberts, but the initial release still drew sharp reaction from Harrison and the broader fan base.

Pittsburgh opens its regular season in Week 1 against a team featuring running back Bijan Robinson, the matchup Harrison specifically called out in his post.

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