Raiding the Ravens: Steelers Find FA Success from Rival’s Roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been scooping up former Baltimore Ravens this offseason. It started with the Steelers claiming linebacker Jeremiah Moon off waivers from the Ravens in January, and now in the last three days, they’ve signed linebacker Patrick Queen and safety DeShon Elliott in free agency.

Queen was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro for the Ravens last season, while Elliott was with the Dolphins, but he played in Baltimore from 2018-2021.

The Steelers and Ravens mirror each as organizations from the top-down, so it’s not surprising that the Stteelers went after Moon, Queen and Elliott. It might just be a coincidence that they played in Baltimore, but Queen and Elliott definitely fit the Steelers mold. They’re the type of players that they love to have on defense.

It seems like every year, the Ravens draft a player that would be a perfect fit with Pittsburgh. Tyler Linderbaum and Kyle Hamilton are the first players that come to mind. The Steelers draft players that could be potential Ravens, as well. It happened in 2021 when the Steelers selected Calvin Austin III at 138th overall, right before when the Ravens were set to select at 139th overall. The Ravens were going to pick Austin, if Pittsburgh didn’t. The organizations just think alike.

In addition, the days of players holding alliance to their former teams and not signing with a division rival are long gone. At one time, it might be odd to see a former Raven, like in Queen’s situation, sign with the Steelers, but that’s not really the case anymore.

Queen’s former teammates joked around with him, but there was no bad blood. Players understand that it’s a business and there’s only so many opportunities to cash in. Former Ravens safety Tony Jefferson did say on X, “It’s getting oppy outside” after the Elliott signing, referring to the opposition in the Steelers. It’s unclear if he was joking or not, though.

Former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley signed with division rival Philadelphia, while former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones signed with the Minnesota Vikings, who are also a division opponent. So, it’s a common thing in today’s league.

Barkley did get some flak from former Giants running back Tiki Barber, however. Barber declared that Barkley was “dead to me” for signing with Philadelphia. Back in the day, a Ray Lewis or Ed Reed might have thought the same if Queen signed with the Steelers. In 2024, though. It’s a pretty outdated mindset.