NFL rivalries? That’s where legends are made and grudges live forever. Cowboys vs. Eagles. Packers vs. Bears. Seahawks vs. 49ers. And right up there with the best of ’em? Ravens vs. Steelers—two squads that don’t just play each other… they straight-up go to war. Every time these two line up, it feels personal. The hits are heavier, the trash talk’s louder, and fans? They’re locked in for four quarters of absolute chaos. But even in a rivalry this heated, things can get… well, a little weird.

And that’s exactly what happened when a Ravens wide receiver gave a major shoutout to a Steelers legend. Yeah, you read that right. This Ravens vs. Steelers rivalry has been all gas, no brakes for 28 straight years. So when Diontae Johnson, a Ravens wide receiver, hopped on X and reposted a tribute to Ben Roethlisberger—complete with two 🐐🐐 emojis (aka GOAT)—people lost it.

Ravens fans? Confused. A little mad. Steelers fans? Loving the respect. The rest of us? Grabbing popcorn. Seriously, Ben used to torch Baltimore. He wasn’t just good—he was Ravens kryptonite. So what’s up with Johnson tipping his cap like that? Now, we get it—GOAT means “greatest of all time.” But using it for a rival team’s retired QB? In this rivalry? That’s bold. But you gotta remember, Johnson has played for both teams, and he has love and respect for both of them. Especially Big Ben.

And Ben Roethlisberger isn’t just any Steelers legend—he’s the definition of clutch and consistency. The dude came into the league in 2004, won a Super Bowl in his second season, and never looked back. We all know the stats. Big Ben was the kind of QB who thrived in chaos—rolling out of pockets, shrugging off sacks, and launching missiles downfield. Say what you want, but when the game was on the line, there were few QBs you’d want more than No. 7 under center. That’s GOAT energy right there.

Look, the Ravens-Steelers beef has delivered some legendary moments. Ray Lewis vs. Hines Ward. Polamalu reading Baltimore’s playbook like a novel. Football warfare, basically. Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 36–27, but Baltimore’s had its moments too, especially in the playoffs. And let’s not forget, Lamar Jackson’s 1–3 vs. the Steelers. Baltimore hasn’t cracked that code yet. The rivalry is still intense, but gestures like Johnson’s show it’s evolving. It’s not soft—it’s just different.

So maybe Johnson’s tribute isn’t random. Maybe he’s hoping to channel some of Big Ben’s energy. Players aren’t locked into the old-school hate anymore. They train together, support each other, and yeah—shout each other out on socials. While we celebrate this, let’s also talk about another story that we can’t get enough of. The Steelers’ quarterback situation.

Mike Tomlin’s QB conundrum

While Johnson was stirring the pot online, Mike Tomlin was out here trying to fix a much bigger issue: figuring out who his quarterback is gonna be next season. Aaron Rodgers might be in the picture—or not. And right now, the Steelers are basically in QB limbo with Mason Rudolph holding it down. Not exactly the dream.

Rodgers, at 42, could be a quick fix. He still has juice, but how long can he really last? The guy hasn’t even made a decision yet, and according to reports, some folks in the front office are getting real tired of the waiting game. NFL insider James Palmer has said, “The steelers didn’t want to put one on it, but it looks like we’re starting to have some sort of clock now on where this is going to go.” He further added, “Deadlines make things happen. The draft week is potentially, in a lot of people’s minds, a deadline for Aaron Rodgers.”

Cameron Heyward has already expressed his concerns on the matter. “I think we’re in a state of urgency – We all wanna win. It’s not just enough to win a playoff game, which we haven’t won in a couple of years.” So what’s Tomlin doing? Scouting. Hard. He and GM Omar Khan are already looking at young guns like Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart, just in case. So, Rodgers or Rookie? What’s the Move? This is the big question. Go all-in on Rodgers and take your shot at a short-term run? Or draft a rookie, start fresh, and build something long-term?

Both options come with risk. Rodgers could dip after a season. A rookie might struggle. But history tells us this: when the Steelers pick a QB, it sets the tone for the next decade. Just look at how Big Ben changed the franchise after stepping in for Tommy Maddox. It’s not just about next year—it’s about building a new era.

A couple of goat emojis from Diontae Johnson have Ravens and Steelers fans arguing online. But it’s bigger than that. Trash talk still exists, sure—but there’s room for respect, too. Meanwhile, Mike Tomlin’s facing one of the biggest decisions of his coaching career: trust a legend or roll the dice on a rookie.

One thing’s for sure: whether it’s on the field or off it, the Ravens-Steelers rivalry isn’t dying—it’s just flipping the script. And honestly? That might make it even better.