The rivalry in the AFC North has taken an unexpected turn as retired stars engage in a heated public exchange over the future of Joe Burrow, quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals.
In a recent episode of the Deebo & Joe podcast, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison revealed that he has personally been trying to recruit the 2020 number-one overall pick to his former team.
Harrison claimed he has maintained frequent communication with Burrow, even advising him on how to approach Bengals ownership to explore a potential move to Pittsburgh.
The news quickly drew a fiery response from former Bengals cornerback and return specialist Adam “Pacman” Jones, who took to Instagram to voice his displeasure. While Jones expressed personal respect for Harrison, he drew a strict line when it came to attempts to lure the franchise’s star quarterback. He punctuated his warning with a colorful jab at the Steelers’ black-and-gold colors versus Cincinnati’s orange-and-black.
“Let me tell y’all something. I love Jay. I love Jay H,” Jones said in his video. “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. I’m going to say that, and I’m going to leave it at that.”
Harrison’s weekly efforts to woo Burrow
According to Harrison, these conversations have become a regular part of his routine. On the podcast, he suggested that Burrow has grown frustrated with recurring injuries and Bengals management’s inability to consistently build a winning roster, leaving him potentially open to a change of scenery. Harrison, showcasing his Super Bowl rings, openly encouraged Burrow to prioritize his own career.
“I’ve been doing a lot of talking to Joe Burrow,” Harrison said on the podcast. “I’ve been conversing with him on a weekly, bi-weekly basis. I talked to him on the phone yesterday. We’ve been talking about him, you know, going up there and talking to Mr. Brown to see what he needs to do… to maybe get in some black and gold.”
The comments highlight the ongoing tension between the two AFC North franchises and underscore the high stakes surrounding the future of Burrow, who has become the centerpiece of the Bengals offense. While Harrison’s remarks are bold, Jones‘s fiery rebuttal signals that any attempt to disrupt Cincinnati’s roster won’t go unanswered.
As the offseason progresses, the league and its fans will be watching closely to see whether this rivalry remains in the realm of retired stars’ banter or if it begins to influence real-world negotiations involving one of the NFL’s brightest young quarterbacks. The situation adds yet another chapter to the storied history of competition and animosity between the Steelers and Bengals, proving that even off the field, the AFC North can produce drama worthy of the gridiron.
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