The Baltimore Ravens just watched another one of their linebackers take the money and run—to Pittsburgh, of all places. Malik Harrison has agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with the Steelers, marking the second straight offseason Baltimore has lost a linebacker to their most hated rival.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because Patrick Queen did the exact same thing last year. Queen’s defection to Pittsburgh on a three-year, $41 million deal sent shockwaves through Ravens Flock, sparking an offseason filled with trash talk, bad blood, and one of the most satisfying playoff exits in recent memory. Now, a year later, the Steelers are running it back, bringing in another former Ravens linebacker to fill out their defense.
Here’s where it gets even funnier: Harrison just got way more money than anyone expected. According to Spotrac, his market value was around $2.3 million per year, but the Steelers decided to more than double that with a contract averaging $5 million annually. The same team that supposedly “won” free agency with Queen just paid borderline starter money for a rotational linebacker who's a solid special teams contributor.
Pittsburgh’s strange obsession with Ravens linebackers continues with Malik Harrison
Harrison had a solid but unspectacular run in Baltimore. Drafted in the third round in 2020, he spent most of his tenure as a depth piece, playing multiple roles across the defense and contributing on special teams. His versatility was a plus, but he was never a true game-changer.
That’s why his new contract is a pretty big shocker. Paying $10 million over two years for a player who was largely a backup in Baltimore feels like a major reach—especially after Pittsburgh already spent big on Queen last year. The Steelers now have $51 million tied up in two former Ravens linebackers, neither of whom will be playing next to Roquan Smith anymore (and that made a big difference).
Meanwhile, the Ravens will continue building their defense their way. Trenton Simpson is next in line, and Baltimore has a track record of drafting and developing linebackers who thrive in their system. Harrison was a nice role player, but he wasn't going to be a priority re-signing, especially given Baltimore's cap space.
While losing Harrison isn’t ideal (special teams particularly), the Steelers throwing $10 million at him is the real surprise. Baltimore could have welcomed him back, but not at that price. If history tells us anything, it won’t be long before Pittsburgh realizes they overpaid for another Ravens linebacker.