Alejandro Villanueva had a lot to say in his first press availability for the Ravens Wednesday, just a day after signing with Baltimore.
And quite a bit of what he said involved the Steelers.
"When you have a balanced offense and when you run the ball, it's obviously better for the offensive line," Villanueva said when asked about his new offense with the Ravens. "I'm assuming it's not as fun for the wide receivers. They're not getting all the catches or making the TikToks or having fun on their social media."
The Steelers' ranked dead last in rushing yards and rushing yards per attempt in 2020 while the Ravens led the NFL in both categories. The quip about receivers and TikTok videos was an obvious reference to JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool, who were regularly posting videos on the social media app before and after games.
Villanueva would continue with his comments, noting that a big reason for him signing with the Ravens was to be able to play the Steelers twice a season, while also calling Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler and upgrade over David DeCastro:
Alejandro Villanueva said part of the motivation to come to the Ravens was playing AFC North football and playing the Steelers twice a year
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) May 5, 2021
Longtime #Steelers LT Al Villanueva doesn't even need to put his new #Ravens uniform on to show he has the necessary trash-talking down. Asked about losing his longtime commuting buddy, G David DeCastro, he says, "I'm sure Kevin Zeitler will be an upgrade."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) May 5, 2021
But while some might see those as malicious shots at the Steelers, taking a step back to assess the situation might clear the air.
For one, Zach Banner was quick to make jokes right back at Villanueva on Twitter Wednesday, even noting how Villanueva might be living 'rent free' in some fans' heads:
Remind you... Al has a flip phone...
— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) May 5, 2021
You’d have to text him to talk smack...
😂
Al is living in your heads rent free right now lol...
— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) May 5, 2021
I love and miss the OG already...
I wish him luck. Congrats on a great career in the 🖤💛... pic.twitter.com/vFW310YjNQ
It's also important to remember Villanueva also willingly participated in some of those TikTok videos posted by Smith-Schuster and Claypool during the season, as some Steelers fan accounts brought up on Twitter:
Big Al caught in 🚨4K🚨 pic.twitter.com/RSm1jNXEqP
— Austin ⚫SteelersTake🟡 (@SteelersTake) May 5, 2021
This you Villanueva? @Ravens #Steelers pic.twitter.com/xcj7kXPDDm
— BlitzburghVideos ✨ (@BlitzVideos) May 5, 2021
If he really thought the TikTok videos were annoying, he wouldn't have participated in several different ones throughout the season. Most likely, Villanueva was having fun poking jokes at his former teammates' expense.
But it's still an odd chapter in the Steelers-Ravens rivalry, as Villanueva has gone from Ben Roethlisberger's left tackle for six seasons and a two-time Pro Bowler to making tongue-in-cheek jokes while playing for the team's biggest rival.