Steelers A to Z: Free agent addition Malik Harrison looking to carve role in defense
Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.
LB MALIK HARRISON
Experience/age: Sixth season, 27 years old
Contract status: $3.21 million cap hit, signed through 2026
The past: Harrison became the second Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker in as many seasons to switch sides in the AFC North rivalry, following Patrick Queen to Pittsburgh. He joined the Steelers after spending five seasons in Baltimore where he never was a full-time starter.
Harrison started 34 of the 76 games he appeared in with Baltimore after being selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. In 2024, he played in 15 games, starting seven, and recorded the first two sacks of his NFL career. He also set career highs with 54 tackles and three for a loss.
Harrison had four tackles in the Ravens’ wild-card playoff win against the Steelers and seven the following week in a divisional round loss to Buffalo. He started both regular-season matchups against the Steelers.
2025 outlook: To kick off free agency, the Steelers gave Harrison a two-year, $10 million contract that included a $4.08 million signing bonus. It seemed a bit curious considering Harrison never was a full-time starter with the Ravens, and he isn’t assured of starting with his new team.
Harrison’s signing, though, marked the end of Elandon Roberts’ run with the Steelers, and Harrison likely will step into Roberts’ role at inside linebacker. Queen never missed a snap last season, so Harrison will compete for playing time with Cole Holcomb and Payton Wilson at the other inside linebacker spot. Harrison was a core special teams player for the Ravens, and he likely will be used in that capacity with the Steelers. He also is capable of playing outside linebacker, increasing the team’s depth at that position.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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