Pittsburgh Review

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed Malik Harrison, a former linebacker from the Baltimore Ravens, to a two-year contract in free agency. Harrison, who is 27 years old, brings experience from his six seasons in the NFL, primarily recognized for his role as a special teams player with the potential to start.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 255 pounds, Harrison played college football at Ohio State. Throughout his career with the Ravens, he participated in 76 games and started in 34 of them. In the 2024 season, after Trenton Simpson replaced Patrick Queen—who joined the Steelers via free agency—as a starter, Harrison was called upon for the final seven games of the season. His performance during these games included a career-high of 382 defensive snaps and contributed significantly to stabilizing the Ravens' defense.

Harrison ended last season with 54 tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss. Known for his versatility, he can function as both an edge rusher and an off-ball linebacker due to his athleticism and length.

Drafted in the third round, Harrison showcased his speed by running a 4.66-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2020 and achieved a vertical jump of 36 inches. He has been consistent on special teams throughout his five NFL seasons, playing no fewer than 288 snaps each year and exceeding 300 snaps over the past three seasons.

With Tyler Matakevich now an unrestricted free agent and Elandon Roberts joining the Raiders, Harrison is expected to take on a significant role on special teams for the Steelers. He also offers flexibility to join the lineup if required as a robust tackler.

In light of possible changes to NFL kickoff rules that might increase kick returns by moving the kickoff spot back five yards in 2025, players like Harrison could become vital due to their size and speed. The Steelers faced challenges with kickoff coverage last year under new rules—a difficulty shared across many NFL teams—and will likely benefit from Harrison's skills in this area.