The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens runs deep . Linebacker Malik Harrison knew that when he became the latest player to switch sides in the contentious conflict, joining the Steelers as a free-agent pickup earlier this month.
The Steelers will count on Harrison to help stop the Ravens' Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry . That duo combined for 267 rushing yards and four ground scores in its Wild Card playoff win over Pittsburgh in January.
"He surprised me every day," Harrison said of Jackson during his introductory Steelers press conference on March 13. "You know, he do things that you don't think that a person can do. … Going against them in practice every day, you can't do too much because you don't wanna mess with church money. But, now me being on the other side, I can really just unleash, dominate how I know I can."
Harrison reunites with Patrick Queen , knowing he's been added in part to knock off their former team, the two-time defending AFC North champions.
"I think that the competitiveness (is special)," Harrison said of the rivalry. "Being on the other side during that week is just different, and I feel like over here, it's gonna be even more different. … It's just like the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry."
Harrison played at Ohio State from 2016-19 before being drafted by the Ravens in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He played in 76 games for Baltimore over the past five seasons, totaling 174 tackles. Harrison signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Steelers in free agency.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison (40) exits the field prior to an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)
Harrison said he was happy to see Queen get what he deserved when he signed with Pittsburgh last offseason. He never termed his then-former teammate as a traitor, he said. Harrison reached out to Queen during his free agency process.
"Once it settled that Pittsburgh was (in play) for me, definitely hit him up," Harrison said. "He probably was on the boat at that time, but, you know, I hit him up, we talked a little bit, and when I made my decision, I told him."
Harrison believes he'll blend in when he pulls on a black and gold uniform.
"Everybody's aggressive over there, and I think I just fit in with that," Harrison said.
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