In the ever-evolving world of the NFL, teams face a variety of challenges every season: managing salary caps, drafting the right talent, navigating injuries, and dealing with player departures. For the Baltimore Ravens, one such recurring challenge has become particularly glaring over the years — their inability to retain linebackers who inevitably end up in Pittsburgh.
In the 2025 season, the Ravens finally managed to end their longstanding losing streak to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a long-awaited and much-celebrated achievement that signified their growth, resilience, and dominance in the AFC North. However, despite this monumental victory, the Ravens still find themselves caught in a much deeper and more frustrating issue — the ongoing exodus of key linebacker talent to Pittsburgh in free agency.
This persistent issue has raised eyebrows across the NFL, especially given that the Ravens are traditionally known for their formidable defenses, particularly their linebacking corps. Over the years, Baltimore has built a reputation as one of the most consistently tough and disciplined defensive teams in the NFL. Yet, despite their prowess in developing top-tier linebackers, the team has repeatedly watched as star players from this unit leave for their AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This article will examine the dynamics behind this trend, the implications for the Ravens, and the broader context of free agency, contracts, and inter-team rivalry within the NFL. From the strategic decisions made by both organizations to the personal factors influencing player moves, there’s much to uncover about this fascinating aspect of Baltimore’s roster management.
The 2025 Season: A Victory Over Pittsburgh, but a Bitter Reality Remains
The 2025 season was a turning point for the Baltimore Ravens in many ways. For the first time in years, they finally put an end to their embarrassing losing streak against the Pittsburgh Steelers, securing a crucial win in an emotional, high-stakes matchup. This victory came after a period of rebuilding, led by a revamped coaching staff, a healthy Lamar Jackson, and a defense that had grown increasingly aggressive and opportunistic.
Baltimore’s victory over Pittsburgh was not just another regular-season win; it symbolized their resurgence in the AFC North and provided a much-needed confidence boost to the team. The Steelers, long a thorn in their side, were finally put down in a game that many fans had marked on their calendars for years.
However, just as the Ravens celebrated this victory, another reality began to settle in: key linebackers from their roster were heading for the Steelers once again. This was not an isolated event, but rather a continuation of a troubling pattern that had plagued the Ravens for several seasons. It seemed that, for whatever reason, Pittsburgh had become the preferred destination for talented Baltimore linebackers during free agency — and it wasn’t just about money.