While the Baltimore Ravens have had a phenomenal start to their offseason, highlighted by the blockbuster acquisition of edge rusher Maxx Crosby and John Simpson agreement, Monday changed everything. One day in, and they’ve already lost a ton of talented players like Tyler Linderbaum, while watching key AFC rivals make improvements.
Among those rivals having a strong start to free agency is Baltimore’s most heated AFC North foe: the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their top two additions of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and cornerback Jamel Dean will give Baltimore trouble. The Steelers swapped late-round picks with the Indianapolis Colts to land Pittman, and agreed to terms with Dean on a three-year, $36.75 million deal.
Now, the Ravens’ needs for their own wideout and corner become more urgent. Both areas lack depth and starting-caliber talent, and Pittsburgh is set to give them trouble in those spots.
Baltimore Ravens must counter Pittsburgh Steelers’ aggressive offseason moves
Both wide receiver and cornerback were areas of Pittsburgh’s roster that Baltimore could expose in 2025. Or at least try to. After transitioning Jalen Ramsey to safety, the Steelers lacked depth outside of Joey Porter Jr. at corner. At wide receiver, if DK Metcalf wasn’t on the field, there wasn’t a consistent option. Following the acquisitions of Pittman and Dean, though, they unfortunately match up with Baltimore really well.
In a similar way, the Ravens’ wideout room is a one-man show. Zay Flowers was the only player to tally over 422 receiving yards last year, with an impressive 1,211 yards. At corner, it was a mess, but in terms of talent, Nate Wiggins and Chidobe Awuzie were the only ones to show promise from week to week. But Awuzie is a free agent, and if Marlon Humphrey doesn’t return to form, it will be another one-man show in the corner room with just Wiggins.
This is all, of course, looking at the current state of the roster, pending potential breakouts from players like wideout Devontez Walker and cornerback T.J. Tampa.
Given their roster construction at those two spots right now, the Steelers have a pretty easy pathway to dominating Baltimore on offense, while also clamping them up in pass coverage. Of course, it’s easier said than done, and the Ravens will still feast on the ground like they always do. However, talent is talent, and Baltimore’s front office needs to make a serious effort to match Pittsburgh’s stellar moves.
There’s plenty of time for general manager Eric DeCosta to address those needs. It’s only the start of free agency, and the draft will be a key part of the Ravens’ roster building, per usual. The Steelers upped the ante on those needs with their offseason aggressiveness, though.