Ex-Steelers OT Alejandro Villanueva, Ravens Agree to Reported 2-Year, $14M Contract

The Baltimore Ravens and offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva agreed to terms on a two-year contract Tuesday.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the deal is worth $14 million and noted it carries $8 million in guarantees. Villanueva, 32, spent the last seven seasons with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Ravens were seen as an ideal fit for Villanueva after they traded Orlando Brown Jr. to the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the 2021 NFL draft. Brown requested a trade earlier in the offseason, citing a desire to play left tackle. 

Ronnie Stanley, who is working his way back from a season-ending ankle injury, is locked in as Baltimore's long-term starter on the left side.

It was a surprise that the Steelers were not more aggressive in bringing Villanueva back into the fold. Pro Football Focus gave him a solid 74.6 grade last season, and he has been a reliable fixture in protecting Ben Roethlisberger's blind side throughout his tenure in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers did not address the tackle position until the fourth round of last week's draft, taking Texas A&M's Dan Moore Jr. They will enter the 2021 season with major questions on the offensive line after the departure of Villanueva and retirement of Maurkice Pouncey.

The Ravens, meanwhile, took advantage of Pittsburgh's inaction and landed a player who should serve as a more than adequate replacement for Brown. Switching over to the right side may wind up extending Villanueva's career as well.