James Harrison has announced his retirement from the NFL.

Harrison spent 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one last year with the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I have made the difficult decision to retire as of today," Harrison's statement said. "My love for my family and the need to be there for them outweighs my desire to play the game. I have missed too many experiences with them because I devoted SO much time to my career.

"My love for the game isn't strong enough to make up for missing one more birthday or first day of school."

The 36-year-old Harrison entered the league in 2002 as an undrafted free agent out of Akron. 

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed Vontaze Burfict to a contract extension through 2017.

Burfict led the NFL in tackles in 2013 and was eligible for a new deal because he wasn't drafted.

“Vontaze is a special talent; he has shown us that from his first day here,” Marvin Lewis said. “He is a load physically and he’s extremely competitive, but what really makes him stand out is the instinct and feel he has for the game. It’s something born in him, you can’t coach a player to naturally react the way he does in all situations. This signing is a great move for the future of our defense.”

“It’s unusual to sign a player this early in his career to a contract extension, but Vontaze is a player who merits this,” executive vice president Katie Blackburn said. “He has proven to be an exceptional find for us, and we are happy to reward him now for his accomplishments. It’s good for him and good for our team.”

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed Vontaze Burfict to a contract extension through 2017.

Burfict led the NFL in tackles in 2013 and was eligible for a new deal because he wasn't drafted.

“Vontaze is a special talent; he has shown us that from his first day here,” Marvin Lewis said. “He is a load physically and he’s extremely competitive, but what really makes him stand out is the instinct and feel he has for the game. It’s something born in him, you can’t coach a player to naturally react the way he does in all situations. This signing is a great move for the future of our defense.”

“It’s unusual to sign a player this early in his career to a contract extension, but Vontaze is a player who merits this,” executive vice president Katie Blackburn said. “He has proven to be an exceptional find for us, and we are happy to reward him now for his accomplishments. It’s good for him and good for our team.”

Bill Belichick is ranked as the best coach in the NFL, according to a poll of 30 league insiders.

Pete Carroll and Sean Payton are ranked second and third and are also in their first tier.

"The most important thing to me is the ability to control the offense, the defense and the special teams," a GM said in describing the ideal coach. "You can change and you can coach multiple things and you have the ability to teach almost every position group. Then you can lose any coach you want and replace from within because the head coach is the talent. Belichick is the ultimate model of that."

Belichick commmanded a 1 vote on 28 of 30 ballots.

In Tier 2 are Andy Reid at No. 4, Tom Coughlin at No. 5, Mike McCarthy and Mike Tomlin at No. 6, Jim Harbaugh at No. 8, John Harbaugh at No. 9, John Fox at No. 10 , Jeff Fisher at No. 11, Chip Kelly at No. 12, Bruce Arians at No. 13, Lovie Smith at No. 14 and Mavin Lewis at No. 15.

Tier 3 is led by Chuck Pagano At No. 16, followed by Rex Ryan (17), Mike Smith (18), Gus Bradley (19), Ken Whisenhunt (20), Mike McCoy (20), Marc Trestman (22) and Ron Rivera (23).

Tier 4 features Mike Zimmer (24), Jay Gruden (25), Bill O'Brien (26), Jim Caldwell (27), Doug Marrone (28), Joe Philbin (29), Jason Garrett (30), Mike Pettine (31) and Bruce Allen (32).

The Cincinnati Bengals and Vontaze Burfict have agreed upon a four-year, $20 million deal.

Burfict will receive $7.6 million in 2014.

Burfict was an undrafted rookie in 2012 and has been a consistent performer at linebacker.

Marvin Lewis and the Cincinnati Bengals have been incredibly impressed by Darqueze Dennard in training camp.

Dennard was considered one of the top cornerbacks in the May draft.

"The best rookie corner I've seen," said Marvin Lewis.

Dennard won't start immediately, but he will be used extensively in nickel and dime packages.

The Cincinnati Bengals have begun extension talks with A.J. Green.

The Bengals exercised Green's fifth-year option for 2015 in April, tying him to Cincinnati for $13.236 million over the next two seasons.

Green is expected to sign for more than the $12 million or $13 million per season that Percy Harvin and Mike Wallace earn with a target of $16 million that Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson earn.

Green has averaged 87 reception, 1,278 yards and 10 touchdowns through his first three seasons.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Andy Dalton have agreed upon a six-year, $115 million contract.

Dalton had one season remaining on his rookie contract.

Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said Dalton's play during training camp has been "sensational."

"I've been very pleased with where he is and where he's headed," Jackson said. "It's our whole football team.

"I've been impressed with him since I've gotten to be the coordinator, but I've been really impressed with him over the last couple of days, because I think he's really starting to buy in to the urgency, getting the ball out of his hands and making great decisions. That was a great throwaway when we were backed up. There were times in the past the ball might have gone someplace else."