Rooney explained on the DVE Morning Show that the normal seating chart placed Ravens fans in front of Steelers supporters in one section, prompting him to ask the league for a change, which they granted. NFL.com’s Kevin Patra framed Rooney’s action as leveraging his influence to “stick it to” the Ravens, underscoring the ongoing animosity between the two AFC North rivals.
The episode highlights that the rivalry persists even in the offseason and sets the stage for a pivotal draft as both teams enter a new era. The Steelers are led by a new voice at the helm of the franchise, while the Ravens have tapped a rookie head coach to succeed John Harbaugh, following a season that underscored the need for rapid improvement.
For Baltimore, the draft is a critical opportunity to power a rebuild after last season’s playoff miss. With the 14th overall pick, the Ravens are in a favorable position to add a core contributor on either side of the ball, depending on how Jesse Minter and general manager Eric DeCosta prioritize immediate impact vs. long-term development.
Minter and DeCosta are reportedly eyeing a cautious but impactful first-round approach. The defense is said to already have two budding playmakers from last year’s class, which could influence the choice between upgrading protection for Lamar Jackson with an interior offensive lineman or adding a dynamic receiving weapon. Some scenarios also consider drafting a move tight end to complement Isaiah Likely or selecting a versatile edge rusher to pair with veteran Trey Hendrickson.
Overall, the Ravens’ goal is clear: emerge from the first round in a position to challenge the Steelers for supremacy in 2026. As the draft unfolds, both teams will be judged on how well they translate their early strategic moves into sustained progress for their new eras.
