Ravens Elevate WR Hidden Gem to Active Roster After Steelers Offer to Steal Him

Baltimore, MD – 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ urgent search for a George Pickens replacement nearly landed them a wide receiver from across the division. But the Baltimore Ravens weren’t about to let him slip away.

According to multiple reports, the Steelers expressed interest in signing Keith Kirkwood off Baltimore’s practice squad after Pickens’ season-ending injury. By league rules, Kirkwood could have been added directly to Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster if he accepted the offer.

Instead, the Ravens responded decisively—elevating Kirkwood to their own active roster on Tuesday. The move protects the 29-year-old and ensures he’ll remain in Baltimore for at least three weeks as he now secures a full roster spot.

Kirkwood’s career path has been anything but ordinary. Undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, he joined the New Orleans Saints as a free agent and quickly proved himself by scoring two touchdowns as a rookie. He later re-signed with the Carolina Panthers, where he continued to shuttle between the active roster and practice squad, seeing sporadic snaps but earning praise for his durability and professionalism. Over his career, he has appeared in 34 games, recording 24 receptions for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns. Off the field, Kirkwood is also known as a selfless teammate and a reliable option on special teams.

In the run-up to the 2025 season, Kirkwood drew interest from multiple teams, but he chose to sign with the Ravens for a bigger opportunity in the AFC North. In Baltimore, he practiced behind Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor, wearing No. 18, while also taking on additional responsibilities on special teams.

Now, with the Steelers circling, the Ravens made the call to keep him in-house. For Kirkwood, it’s a chance to prove himself on the active roster; for the Ravens, it’s about protecting a trusted veteran and preventing a hated AFC North rival from poaching him at a moment of weakness.