The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens are among the best rivalries in the NFL. While all division matchups are intense, the one with the Ravens is amplified by the number of things the two cities have in common. Not only are they close together, but both are built on rivers with a post-industrial vibe. They are almost like separated-at-birth twins, ones that embrace winter, are proud of their working-class attitude, and are passionate about their sports teams.
The competition between the two has ramped up this offseason because the Steelers signed Ravens’ free agent linebacker Patrick Queen. It’s never easy to lose a player to the enemy; Pittsburgh has been there with guys like James Harrison, Alejandro Villanueva, and Arthur Maulet.
Ever since Queen joined the team, the two teams’ players have been verbally sparring about which city is better. Queen won Steelers fans over with his profession of love for all things Yinzer. He declared not only is the food better, but the whole city of Pittsburgh is better. This led a few of his former teammates to bark back at him, including Marlon Humphrey and recently Maulet, who played cornerback in Pittsburgh for two years.
Maulet told the media that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and implied that Queen was making all of this up. He said Queen knows that Baltimore is the superior city. Now Steel City native and longtime Steelers defensive tackle, Cameron Heyward weighed in on Maulet’s comments. His co-host Hayden Walsh asked him what he thinks about what his former teammate said on his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward.
“I think Art [Arthur Maulet] is just mad that Pat [Patrick Queen] left for the greener pasture,” said Heyward. “Pat had a heck of a comment to Marlon Humphrey talking about the green pasture. I think there are a lot more Baltimore Ravens that would like to be in this situation, rather than that situation.”
The comment that Heyward is referring to was Queen’s original shot at Baltimore, where he said he prefers good food and meat to seafood. He applauded the atmosphere and the people in Pittsburgh. He said he feels the city is a better fit for him.
As mentioned, this didn’t go over well with the Baltimore media, his former teammates, or Ravens fans — but Steelers fans ate it up. Queen has been a player that the Steelers have had to prep for since he was drafted by Baltimore in 2020. Now, dressed in black and gold, he will hopefully be that missing piece at middle linebacker.
During the two seasons Maulet played in Pittsburgh, he had 106 total tackles, one interception, and two sacks. In 2023, his first season in Baltimore, he had 37 tackles, two sacks, and one interception. On the other hand, Queen made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and was named Second Team All-Pro.
All of this trash-talk brings out everyone’s competitive edge. Queen, in particular, says he is looking forward to playing Baltimore this season and showing them who’s the “villain” now.
New Steelers Players Embracing Pittsburgh
While most players at least act excited when they go to a new team, the enthusiasm feels more genuine this offseason than ever. It isn’t just Queen out there professing his love; new quarterback Russell Wilson has jumped in with both feet.
Wilson has been seen at Pittsburgh Pirates games throwing out the first pitch and watching the Pittsburgh Penguins play with other Steelers and his wife, Ciara. He has been working out with his new teammates, attending charity events, and making himself at home. They aren’t the only ones; new safety DeShon Elliott expressed wonder over his first trip to the Strip District.
new Steelers safety DeShon Elliott discovering the Strip District is the most wholesome OTA content you'll see today pic.twitter.com/0b2VaOfU0Z
— Jenna Harner (@JennaHarner11) June 6, 2024
Regardless of how or why these men landed in Pittsburgh, they are here. They all appear to have set aside any bitterness over how things went down with their old teams. They seem genuinely happy to be in black and gold, and all show passion on and off the field.
