After spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, linebacker Patrick Queen switched allegiances and joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency. As he prepares for his Steelers debut, Queen is looking to bet on himself during the 2024 campaign.
Pittsburgh signed the linebacker to a three-year, $41 million contract. Queen said he had larger offers from teams outside the Steelers. However, when he looked at best team fit, he felt that Pittsburgh was the perfect place for him, via Derrick Bell of Steelers Now.
“From the 15 teams that I was talking to, it came down to five at the end. Some were offering [$17 million per year],” Queen said. “I had a chance to either go win or a chance to get paid. For me, the difference was like $4 or $5 million.”
“I'm looking at it like, ‘I've never been on a losing team before,” Queen continued. “I also don't want to be part of anything being rebuilt because I'm trying to win now.”
“I am really just trying to win right now and get that out of the way,” Queen concluded. “I will get paid later.”
Since joining the Ravens in 2020, Baltimore made the playoffs every year except for 2021. They advanced all the way to the AFC Championship in 2023. The Steelers have seen similar success, making the playoffs every year since 2020 except 2022. However, they've yet to advance past the Wild Card Round.
Now with Patrick Queen in tow, Pittsburgh is looking to get over their playoff hump. The linebacker has the same vision. There may have been more money on the table, but Queens sees the Steelers' Super Bowl vision. As he locks in for the 2024 season, his only goal will be helping Pittsburgh reach their lofty expectations.
What Patrick Queen offers Steelers
Pittsburgh struggled on the defensive side of the ball in 2023, ranking 21st in the league by allowing 342.1 yards per game. However, the Steelers have key building blocks to work with in players like TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cameron Heyward and Joey Porter Jr. Now, Queen joins the fold.
Over his 67 total games with the Ravens, Queen racked up 454 tackles, 15 passes defended, 13.5 sacks and four interceptions. A jack-of-all-trades kind of player, Queen has been a menace for opposing offenses in both the pass and run game. He showed off his full arsenal during the 2023 season.
Starting all 17 games, Queen made a career-high 133 tackles, tied his career-best with six passes defended and even forced both a punt and interception. He earned the first Pro Bowl nomination of his career while earning a solid 73.1 grade from Pro Football Focus.
While much has been made about the changes Pittsburgh made to their offense, the defense needed some work as well. Patrick Queen is not only a major addition for the Steelers, but it also takes a bite out of their biggest rivals' defense.
Queen could've signed elsewhere, could've chased a bigger bag. But the Steelers want to win a Super Bowl and with similar aspirations, Queen couldn't resist the opportunity to join forces.
