The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms with inside linebacker Malik Harrison, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo. The deal is two years and worth $10 million and can be made official once the new league year begins, Wednesday at 4 PM/EST.
Harrison, who just turned 27, had spent the previous five years with the Baltimore Ravens. A third-round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, he’s appeared in 76 games and made 34 starts. In 2024, he recorded 54 tackles (three for a loss) with two sacks. His defensive role increased throughout the season, replacing Trenton Simpson in the Ravens’ lineup. In total, Harrison logged 372 defensive snaps. Most came after Week 10, beginning with a Week 11 game against the Steelers.
In his two regular season games versus Pittsburgh in 2024, Harrison recorded nine total tackles.
He has also logged a healthy amount of special teams snaps over his career, including more than 300 in the past three seasons. Dave Bryan noted that Harrison sits at over 1,500 for his career.
Presumably, Malik Harrison will be the team’s third inside linebacker and rotate with Payton Wilson while Patrick Queen serves in an every-down role. A run stopper, he seems poised to replace Elandon Roberts in the Steelers’ base 3-4 defense while Wilson plays in nickel.
Either Roberts’ price tag was too high, or Pittsburgh desired to get younger at the position. Mark Robinson should round out the room, while the Steelers could add another name late in the draft or through the undrafted free-agent pool.
Written by our Josh Carney, we profiled Harrison ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. His conclusion largely reflected his career arc.
“Final thoughts on Harrison – he can be a really good two-down thumper that can occasionally spot drop when asked, but he has to develop more feel there. He won’t be able to turn and run with receivers though, and can’t really defend backs in the passing game other than on quick swings and screens.
I do think Harrison can develop into a really solid No. 2 or No. 3 iLB on a team that utilizes odd-man fronts. He can thrive against the run and could really develop into a key special teams player. I get a real Vince Williams/Zach Brown vibe with him.”
You can check out the entire scouting report below.
