The Pittsburgh Steelers have welcomed a lot of new faces into the organization since they last took the field during the 2023 season. General Manager Omar Khan has revamped many positional groups on the roster, including quarterback. Despite the additions of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the biggest splash Pittsburgh made during the 2024 offseason might be linebacker Patrick Queen. Queen will have an interesting challenge in 2024, as he looks to prove he can succeed without playing next to his former partner in crime.
Queen used to be one of the Steelers’ biggest rivals when he was with the Baltimore Ravens, and he infuriated Baltimore by leaving in free agency to come to Pittsburgh. He has been called out by some of his former teammates, including Marlon Humphrey. Baltimore and Pittsburgh may just be the biggest rivalry in the league, so seeing a player switch sides doesn't happen often. On Saturday, Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith spoke with the media and he spoke about players that left the Ravens over the offseason.
"Have a great deal of respect for the guys that were here before, good luck to those guys in the places that they are, but I have the utmost respect for each and every guy that's in here. I know the potential that each and every guy has."
Smith said this when he was asked if the Ravens defense has the potential to be better than last years unit, even after losing key pieces like Queen. Queen and Smith were one of the best linebacker tandems in the league in 2023, as both were named All-Pros for their strong performance.
Queen was the recipient of the biggest free agent contract Pittsburgh has given out during the 2024 offseason. He instantly upgrades the linebacker position and the defense overall. He has improved in each of his four seasons in the league, and finally broke out in 2023 with the best season of his career.
The signing was great for Pittsburgh, but it has been questioned by some. Many believe Queen was only as good as he was because he was playing alongside another All-Pro in Smith. He has been labeled as Smith's sidekick. In reality, Queen is a very good player in his own right, and he deserves every ounce of credit he receives.
Playing with another great linebacker certainly helps, and Queen joins a talent-filled defense in Pittsburgh as well. He will be playing in front of one of the best safeties in the league in Minkah Fitzpatrick, while playing behind the best pass rushing duo in league of Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt. Players elevate other players, and Queen will instantly make the Steelers defense better with his presence. The Steelers new linebacker will be able to prove that he doesn't need to play alongside Smith to be successful.
Steelers Have Dominated The Ravens In Recent Years
The Ravens and Steelers rivalry hasn't been much of a rivalry in recent memory. Since the start of the 2020 season, the Steelers are 7-1 when facing Baltimore. The Ravens have had the better team during these years, but for some reason the Steelers just have their number. Baltimore was the one seed in the AFC in 2023 and only lost four games, but two of them came to Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh will look to continue this success against Baltimore in 2024, this time with Queen on their side. It won't be easy to beat Baltimore in the upcoming season. They added Derrick Henry and have the reigning NFL MVP in Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh will also be taking them on both times during the hardest stretch of the season, where they have eight straight games within the division and against the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
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