New Steelers LB Reflects on Harsh Years in Baltimore: “Pittsburgh Is What Football Should Feel Like”

When asked about his time in Baltimore, the newly signed linebacker didn’t hold back. In his own words, it wasn’t just disappointing—it was chaos.

Malik Harrison, the former third-round pick by the Ravens in 2020, signed a 2-year, $10 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March 2025. It didn’t take long for him to compare the two organizations—and it wasn’t close.

“I wasted three years trying to find structure that never came. It felt like every season in Baltimore was damage control,” Harrison shared with reporters after a team walkthrough. “Here? In Pittsburgh? You can feel the culture. There’s pride. There’s direction. There’s accountability. It’s what football should feel like.”

After playing four seasons with the Ravens, including one injury-shortened year following a gunshot wound to the leg, Harrison now finds himself energized at the core of Mike Tomlin’s defense. The veteran linebacker admitted that his time in Baltimore was marked by instability, questionable coaching calls, and locker room frustration.

“Being here reminds me why I fell in love with this game in the first place,” he added. “You walk into the Steelers facility and it demands excellence. In Baltimore, we just hoped for consistency.”

Malik Harrison is expected to play a key rotational role in the Steelers’ linebacker corps this season. While he isn’t guaranteed a starting spot yet, his experience and physicality could make him a valuable addition.

Steelers fans, meanwhile, are hoping that his blunt honesty is backed up by a breakout campaign in black and gold. Because if his words match his play, Pittsburgh may have just found a new leader on defense.