"I'm thinking I maybe want to play a year at 40, maybe 41," he said this week.

Harrison, 39, has shown that he's still productive since being was signed by the Patriots on Dec. 26. He has played 89 defensive snaps in three games, totaled 11 tackles and delivered consistent pressure off the edge in passing situations.

No surprise, but Harrison said he didn't need that type of performance to prove to himself he could still play at a high level after being used sparingly in Pittsburgh this season. He said his belief in himself never wavered.

"But at some point in time, I'm going to have to stop [playing]," he said, explaining why it's probably two years maximum. "I told my son [James III] he could play contact football when I stop, so I'm going to have to give it up in the near future, so he can get start getting adjusted to playing. I don't want him to wait too long.