Steelers Get Crucial Trey Hendrickson Warning About Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers already know the Baltimore Ravens became more dangerous by adding Trey Hendrickson, but Matt Williamson does not believe that one move suddenly fixed everything in Baltimore. The Ravens have a better pass rush, but they may still have enough offensive questions to keep the AFC North race open.

Baltimore is never an easy team for Pittsburgh to evaluate because Lamar Jackson changes so much of the equation. Even when the Ravens have holes, Jackson can erase problems with his legs, creativity, and ability to turn broken plays into explosive gains. That is why Baltimore always has to be taken seriously, regardless of what the depth chart looks like around him.

Still, Williamson pushed back on the idea that Hendrickson alone should make the Ravens feel complete. During a recent YouTube breakdown, Williamson said Baltimore improved, but he does not see Hendrickson as the final piece that suddenly takes the Ravens to another level defensively.

“They're another, again, I don't want to make it seem like I think that they're drastically worse or that they're going to fall off a cliff or anything like that,” Williamson said. “But I think Trey Hendrickson is a nice addition. I don't think it's the put your defense over the top that some people have acted like it's going to be.”

That is an important line for Steelers fans. Hendrickson is not just another rotational defender. He can wreck protections, create pressure without blitz help, and force quarterbacks to speed up. The Steelers understand the value of edge pressure because their defense has been built around TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. Adding a player like Hendrickson gives Baltimore more ways to win close, ugly AFC North games.

Pittsburgh has already had reason to monitor Baltimore’s defensive moves closely. SteelerNation previously covered how the Ravens’ pursuit of a major pass-rush upgrade created a potential nightmare scenario for Pittsburgh. Hendrickson entering the division is not something the Steelers can brush off.

The bigger question is whether Baltimore has enough on offense to fully take advantage of that defensive improvement. Jackson remains elite, but the Ravens are still asking a lot of the supporting cast. Their offensive line has moving pieces, and the weapon group may be more fragile than it looks at first glance.

Williamson pointed directly to those concerns when explaining why he is not ready to view Baltimore as a finished product.

“I think that there's big questions about the offensive line,” Williamson said. “And big questions about the weapons around Lamar.”

That is where the Steelers’ opportunity sits. Baltimore can be dangerous and still vulnerable. Both things can be true. If the Ravens struggle to protect Jackson or become too dependent on a few playmakers, Pittsburgh has the defensive personnel to turn those concerns into real problems.

The Steelers will need that pass rush to be sharp in the two meetings with Baltimore. Jackson is not a quarterback who can be attacked carelessly. If rushers lose contain, he can punish the defense instantly. If linebackers overcommit, he can create space behind them. Pittsburgh has to pressure him while staying disciplined, which is always one of the hardest parts of facing the Ravens.

The weapon question also matters. Baltimore can still lean on Derrick Henry, Mark Andrews, and Zay Flowers, but there is a difference between having high-end players and having enough answers for a full season. Henry and Andrews are no longer young players, and Flowers cannot be the only consistent separator in the passing game. If the Steelers can limit the obvious options, Baltimore may have to prove the rest of the offense can carry more weight.

That is where the Hendrickson move becomes only one part of the story. Baltimore’s pass rush may help the Ravens win more defensive possessions, but it does not solve protection issues or create another reliable target for Jackson. The AFC North is usually decided by small margins, and those unresolved issues can matter in a division race.

Pittsburgh’s offense also has responsibility here. If Hendrickson helps Baltimore create more pressure, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offensive line have to avoid obvious passing situations. Pittsburgh cannot spend entire games behind the chains and expect to survive against a stronger Ravens front. Early-down efficiency, quick decisions, and a credible run game will all be important.

Steelers Can Still Attack Baltimore’s Concerns

The Steelers should respect what Baltimore added, but they should not treat the Ravens like a flawless roster. Hendrickson raises the defensive ceiling, but Williamson’s concerns about the offensive line and weapons are exactly the kind of issues Pittsburgh has to exploit.

If Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig can force pressure without sacrificing rush-lane discipline, the Steelers can make life difficult for Jackson. If the secondary holds up against Baltimore’s top options, the Ravens may have to rely on unproven pieces in key moments.

That is the opening for Pittsburgh. The Ravens got better in one major area, but they still have questions in places that matter. Hendrickson makes Baltimore tougher, but he does not close the gap by himself.