The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers have a long history of one of the most intense rivalries in the NFL. Dating back to the years of Ray Lewis and James Harrison, Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu, and Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger, the teams have entertained fans with some of the most physical battles in league history.
In recent years, the rivalry has died down. The games remain competitive, but the physicality and lust have worn off. Quarterback Lamar Jackson still makes for primetime television, but Pittsburgh’s offense lacks firepower, and both defenses are not what they once were. While players still cannot stand lining up against the opposition, the loyalty is not what it once was.
Baltimore has had a few former Steelers wear the black and purple over the past five years. Alejandro Villanueva, Le’Veon Bell, and Arthur Maulet have all signed contracts with the Ravens after their Pittsburgh tenures. However, the Steelers’ love for former Ravens runs deeper, and heading into 2025, they have five players on their roster who once played for Baltimore.
Pittsburgh added former Ravens safety Chuck Clark to their defense on Friday, joining several familiar teammates. Along with Clark, the Steelers have Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison, Jeremiah Moon, and DeShon Elliott suiting up for them this year. It is becoming a recurring theme each offseason, and at some point, you have to ask which former Raven they will sign next.
Chuck Clark is the most recent former Raven to ink a deal with Pittsburgh
Clark last played for the Ravens in 2021, starting 63 games for the franchise across his six-year tenure. Although he struggled coming back from an ACL tear with the New York Jets last season, he brings physicality and stout run defense to the Steelers. The team desperately needed Clark’s services, as they lacked safety depth after trading three-time All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins for star cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith.
While safety was a need for Pittsburgh, the trend of Baltimore players eventually finding their way to the Steel City is concerning for the state of the rivalry. A few of these players became disgruntled with how their time in Baltimore ended, and Clark falls in a similar boat. He felt disrespected by how it ended there, so maybe there he joins the Steelers with vengeance in mind.
While it is tough to see the former Baltimore defenders in a Steelers uniform, the signings could also reignite the rivalry. There has been an aspect of hatred missing between the two sides when they take the field across from one another, and these moves could bring back matchups reminiscent of the 2000s.