It’s always satisfying when a division rival’s free agent signing doesn’t work out. It’s especially sweeter when that signing is a player who used to play for your team. It seems that’s the exact satisfaction that the Baltimore Ravens could be experiencing very soon.
Back in the 2025 offseason, the Steelers decided they wanted two of Baltimore’s former starting linebackers. They signed Malik Harrison to a two-year, $10 million contract, pairing him with Patrick Queen. Just a year in, it appears that move isn’t going to work out.
Pittsburgh signed Elandon Roberts on Wednesday, who will immediately compete for a depth spot in the linebacker room. For Harrison, that’s bad news, as reports have mentioned he’s taking third-team reps in training camp. This decision might be the final blow to his tenure in the Steel City.
Former Baltimore Ravens LB Malik Harrison’s Pittsburgh Steelers tenure may be nearing an end
Harrison wasn’t expected to be a crazy effective linebacker. He came over from the Ravens after making 38 career starts, but, to be quite honest, he was nothing better than a rotational option and special-teams contributor. Still, in 2025, Harrison made nine starts with the Steelers, and it wasn’t a great showing.
The veteran finished the year with a measly 41 combined tackles and two tackles for loss. It was his Pro Football Focus grades, though, that pointed to some big-time struggles. He posted an overall grade of 57.6 and was pretty much inept in coverage (as he was in Baltimore), putting up a horrendous 46.9 grade in that area.
Clearly, Harrison’s performance is an early sign of a strikeout on his two-year deal. And if that's not enough to think about moving on, his contract situation may give Pittsburgh the green light to cut bait with him ahead of the regular season.
The Steelers would create $4.75 million in cap savings if they were to cut Harrison, which, after signing strong linebacker depth in Roberts, feels like an obvious move. That position room looks like it doesn’t need Harrison anymore.
Pittsburgh now has Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Elandon Roberts, and Cole Holcomb taking snaps over Harrison. As he runs with the third-team in camp, paying Harrison $4.75 million in 2026 would be illogical.
But hey, I’m all for the Steelers being a complete mess, and if they want to keep paying Harrison all that money to be the backup of a backup, I’m all for it. Anything to potentially give the Ravens an extra leg up in the race for the AFC North would be welcome.
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