Former Steelers Offensive Tackle Calls Out Baltimore Ravens Pass Rush, Says They’re Overhyped and No Longer a Real Threat
There’s no love lost between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens—two franchises known for their historic AFC North rivalry that has shaped some of the most brutal and compelling matchups in NFL history. That tension has once again spilled into the headlines, but this time it didn’t come from a current player on the field. Instead, former Steelers offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert has stirred controversy by launching a scathing critique of the Ravens’ pass rush, calling it “overhyped,” “predictable,” and “nowhere near what it used to be.”
Gilbert, who spent the majority of his career anchoring the Steelers’ offensive line and protecting Ben Roethlisberger, didn’t mince words during a recent appearance on a football podcast. When the conversation turned to AFC North competition, he lit into Baltimore’s current defensive front, claiming they’ve lost the edge and mystique that once made them feared around the league.
“They used to have guys that could wreck a game on any down,” Gilbert said. “When you faced the Ravens, you knew it was going to be four quarters of hell. Not anymore. The last few years, they’ve been all talk. The pass rush is soft, uninspired, and completely reliant on gimmicks.”
Gilbert’s comments instantly made waves, especially among Ravens fans and analysts who have praised Baltimore’s young defensive core. The Ravens finished the 2024 NFL season as one of the top defenses in the league in several statistical categories, including sacks and quarterback pressures. Led by defensive coordinator Zach Orr, the unit blended veteran experience with emerging talent like Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, and Justin Madubuike. However, Gilbert believes the numbers don’t tell the full story.
“Stats don’t mean much when you’re scheming your way to pressure instead of beating your man,” Gilbert added. “That’s the truth. Watch the tape. They’re blitzing safeties, cornerbacks—anything to generate disruption. That ain’t dominance. That’s desperation.”
While some might dismiss Gilbert’s critique as bitter rivalry banter, others see merit in the underlying argument. Baltimore has indeed leaned heavily on creative blitz packages and complex looks to generate pressure, rather than winning consistently with just four down linemen. This is partly due to the team’s personnel. While players like Madubuike have shown flashes of brilliance, the Ravens haven’t had a truly elite edge rusher since Terrell Suggs left in 2019.
To understand the weight of Gilbert’s comments, it’s important to consider his pedigree. Drafted by Pittsburgh in 2011, Gilbert started over 80 games and became one of the most reliable right tackles in the AFC. He battled through numerous games against the likes of Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, and Matthew Judon—some of the best Ravens pass rushers in recent memory. His experience facing those units makes his assessment particularly pointed.
“I’ve gone toe-to-toe with some of the best defenders Baltimore has ever had,” he said. “Suggs? A nightmare. Judon? A dog. But what they’ve got now? They don’t strike fear into linemen anymore. You can handle them. That’s just facts.”
Unsurprisingly, Ravens Nation didn’t take the criticism lightly. Social media lit up with fans posting highlights, advanced stats, and defensive rankings to push back on Gilbert’s claims. One viral post showed a compilation of Ravens sacks and quarterback hurries from the 2024 season, overlaid with the caption: “Soft? Ask your QB how that feels.”
Even some former Ravens players joined the discourse. Bart Scott, the outspoken linebacker who made his name in Baltimore before joining the New York Jets, responded on a local radio show. “Gilbert’s a good dude, but he’s dead wrong on this,” Scott said. “Baltimore’s pass rush is young and growing. They’re not soft—they’re strategic. If anything, that makes them harder to predict and block.”
Still, Gilbert’s opinion highlights a deeper debate that’s taken root within NFL circles: Is the modern pass rush becoming too dependent on scheme over talent? As offenses evolve with quicker releases, mobile quarterbacks, and spread formations, some analysts argue that defenses must adapt by manufacturing pressure creatively rather than simply overpowering offensive lines. Others believe true defensive greatness still hinges on individual dominance at the point of attack.
Steelers fans, for their part, have largely backed Gilbert, viewing his comments as yet another jab in the never-ending war of words between the two franchises. Some even celebrated the remarks as a return to the old-school mentality that once defined the Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry.
“We need more of this,” one fan posted. “Steelers-Ravens isn’t just about the games—it’s about the pride, the history, the trash talk. Gilbert said what we’ve all been thinking.”
From the Ravens’ side, however, the coaching staff has remained focused. When asked about the comments during a recent press conference, head coach John Harbaugh declined to fire back directly.
“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll let our play do the talking. Our guys know who they are, and they know what they’re capable of.”
That calm demeanor is typical of Harbaugh, who has steered the franchise through many heated moments. But inside the locker room, sources say the comments haven’t gone unnoticed. One Ravens player, speaking anonymously, said, “We hear it. We’re not responding on Twitter. We’re responding Week 10 when we play the Steelers.”
Week 10 now looms even larger on the calendar. Set for a prime-time Sunday Night Football slot, the next clash between Pittsburgh and Baltimore could be one of the most emotionally charged games of the season. Gilbert, retired or not, may have just added fuel to an already raging fire.
Some analysts believe his comments could also impact how the Ravens approach training camp and the early part of the season. Motivation, after all, often comes in unexpected forms.
“If I’m a young pass rusher on that team,” said NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger, “I’m printing those quotes and taping them to my locker. Whether Gilbert’s right or not, that’s bulletin-board material all day long.”
Beyond the emotional response, there’s a football question that lingers: Will Baltimore’s defensive front rise to the challenge and prove Gilbert wrong? The 2025 season presents a major opportunity for players like Oweh and Ojabo to make a leap and establish themselves as cornerstone edge rushers. Meanwhile, Madubuike is entering a contract year and has every reason to raise his game even further.
If the Ravens can combine their schematics with consistent one-on-one wins at the line, they could very well silence critics and reassert themselves as a pass-rushing powerhouse.
On the flip side, if Gilbert’s comments prove prophetic—if the Ravens’ front fails to consistently affect games without blitzing—his words will take on a deeper significance. They’ll be seen not as trash talk, but as a warning sign ignored.
For now, the NFL world watches and waits. Another chapter in the Steelers-Ravens saga has been written—not on the gridiron, but with words. And as always in this storied rivalry, it’s only a matter of time before those words turn into action.
