For the second straight offseason, a Baltimore Ravens linebacker signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it’s safe to say that All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey isn’t too happy about that.
Marlon Humphrey Fires Message to LB Malik Harrison After Joining Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s unclear if the Ravens have an unwritten rule about signing in free agency with the Steelers. But Humphrey seemed upset about the latest Ravens linebacker agreeing to stay in the AFC North but play for the black and gold.
Humphrey posted about the Steelers signing veteran linebacker free agent Malik Harrison on March 14, including mentioning Harrison’s X account.
Harrison signed a two-year, $10 million deal this week to join the Steelers.
“It’s 31 other teams, and you pick the yellow team,” Humphrey tweeted with an ellipsis. “Honestly, screw you.”
It’s 31 other teams and you pick the yellow team… @Leek_39 honestly screw you
— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) March 14, 2025
Humphrey is an avid social media user, so it’s possible that his tone was meant to be more friendly than it comes across to the average X user.
Still, the cornerback isn’t pleased with Harrison’s free agency choice.
Harrison and Humphrey were teammates in Baltimore for five seasons. Over each of the past three years, Harrison started at least seven games for the Ravens defense.
During 2024, Harrison posted 54 combined tackles, including three tackles for loss and three quarterback hits. The linebacker also had two sacks.
Harrison began starting for the Ravens’ defense during the second half of the 2024 campaign. At that time, the unit began to see substantial improvements in play, particularly in pass defense.
Baltimore was stout against the run throughout 2024. Overall, the Ravens finished ranked eighth in the PFSN’s Defense+ rankings.
“All season, the Ravens were the NFL’s best run defense. Baltimore ranked first in yards per rush allowed (3.6) and second in rushing success rate (66%) during the regular season,” wrote PFN’s Sterling Xie.
Baltimore Also Lost Patrick Queen to the Steelers in Free Agency Last Year
Humphrey may be especially upset about Harrison leaving for Pittsburgh because the same thing happened last year.
Like Harrison, Humphrey was a teammate of Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen for four years. But when free agency came for Queen last March, he signed a three-year, $41 million deal with the team’s arch-rival.
Queen’s deal set a new record for the largest free agent contract in Steelers history. Making the most money possible is understandable in the NFL player’s fraternity, but Queen said afterward that his free agency was about more than just money.
“From all the 15 teams that I was talking to, it came down to like five at the end,” Queen told Steelers_DB in May 2024. “It was just like five teams in the mix. Some of them were offering some $17 [million per year]. After that, it was like, I have a chance to either go win or have a chance to get paid.”
“For me, the difference was like $4 or $5 million. I’m looking at it like, I’ve never been on a losing team before, and then I also don’t want to be a part of anything being rebuilt because I’m trying to win now. I’m really just trying to win right now, get that out the way, and then get paid later.”
The Ravens and Steelers have one of the best rivalries in the NFL. So, it’s not surprising Humphrey isn’t a fan of two defensive teammates signing with the Steelers the last two years.
But there’s also a decent chance his call out of Harrison on March 13 was meant to be playful. Humphrey and Queen had a “playful” exchange on social media.
“The combination of this high altitude atmosphere I’m in and what PQ just did has my chest hurting,” Humphrey tweeted on March 12, 2024.
Later in the offseason, Humphrey said on his Punch Line podcast that “the grass isn’t always greener.” Queen responded, posting a video on X of himself watering very green grass while appearing to take a sip of wine.