There’s no friendlier division than the AFC North, as all four teams within the division possess a special edge when playing each other.
It’s rare to see players jump ship and join a division rival, especially between the cities of Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Sometimes, the rivalry is so intense that some boundaries aren’t crossed, and that can extend to the lines of free agency.
Yet the Steelers elixir for their problems on defense may have been disguised as a Raven all along.
Despite being a heavy favorite to land Baltimore’s franchise tag, linebacker CJ Mosley was informed he will be an unrestricted free agent this off-season per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Mosley was Baltimore’s first round pick in 2014, having made the Pro Bowl in four of five seasons with the team. Highly considered as one of the best inside linebackers in the league, the 26 year old is expected to attract many potential suitors when free agency begins in just a few weeks.
Mosley finds himself familiar with one of the reportedly interested teams, as Pittsburgh continues its search for their replacement of Ryan Shazier.
GM Kevin Colbert spoke at the NFL Combine last week, and stated Pittsburgh “didn’t do enough” to replace Shazier after his injury, furthering the theory that the Steelers were not sold on Jon Bostic as a long term solution.
While Mosley may be looking for a hefty price tag, signing the former Raven would provide instant relief in the interior of Pittsburgh’s linebacker corps by way of perennial Pro-Bowl talent.