New Ravens OT Alejandro Villanueva Motivated To Play Steelers Twice A Year

Tuesday, the Baltimore Ravens inked two-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva of the Pittsburgh Steelers to a two-year deal, making the rivalry between the two AFC North foes that much stronger for the 2021 season.

Villanueva was told by the Steelers at the start of free agency that they would not make him an offer, and that he was free to find a contract elsewhere.

He found a deal with the Ravens for $14 million, with $8 million fully guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Villanueva's words while speaking to the Ravens media on Wednesday showed just how much the lineman wants to make an impact against his former team.

Villanueva said a big part of the motivation to join the Ravens was staying in the AFC North, where he'll play the Steelers twice a year.

Since 2019, Villanueva has been one of the most solid tackles in the NFL, playing 1,236 snaps, and allowing just five quarterback sacks.

It will be interesting to see how he plays at the tackle spot knowing he's going to have to hold blocks for a much different type of quarterback. Lamar Jackson of the Ravens is a LOT different than Ben Roethlisberger.