The Pittsburgh Steelers stoked the flame in their rivalry with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2024 offseason by signing Patrick Queen. Queen was the biggest free agent signing in Steelers history according to contract value. He provides the talent at inside linebacker that the organization has been looking for ever since Ryan Shazier's horrific injury in 2017. '
Pittsburgh inked Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract - which will keep his talents in Western Pennsylvania through the 2026 season. He is expected to be a big contributor right away, and one of the leaders of the defense.
Since he was signed, his play has been criticized by many in Baltimore, saying he is no good without Roquan Smith. However, Ravens insider, Jeff Zrebiec, recently defended Queen against this slander during a mailbag on The Athletic.
"People tend to forget that Queen was one of the youngest players in the league when the Ravens drafted him, and he didn’t play much college football. There were going to be growing pains, and they were probably exacerbated because middle linebacker is a glamour position in Baltimore. But I think this notion that Queen needed Smith to arrive so he could improve is unfair."
It takes every player some time to adjust to the speed and style of the NFL. Not every player can come in and contribute at a Pro Bowl level right away, it's just not realistic. Also, coming into Baltimore at the age of 21 and being held to the same standard of players like Ray Lewis is a bit intimidating. His play improved each season in Baltimore, even before Smith arrived in 2022.
The Ravens traded for Smith at the deadline of the 2022 season, and he and Queen instantly became one of the better linebacker duos in the league. The trade was made because Queen was struggling as the middle linebacker and the player who wore the green dot that communicated with the entire defense. He is expected to take on that role in Pittsburgh, which Zrebiec also discussed.
"After a slow start in 2022, Queen started to play much better before the Smith trade was made. He was improving. Did the presence of Smith help Queen get to another level? Sure. That’s how it works. Playing alongside great players tends to raise your level, too. I think Queen will be just fine in those roles. He’s a smarter, more experienced and explosive player than he was two years ago."
People that are close to Ravens football that assume Queen will struggle in Pittsburgh haven't paid close attention to how he has improved since the start of his career. Smith helps of course, but he is coming to a loaded defense in Pittsburgh as well. He will be playing with arguably the best edge-rushing duo in the NFL in Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt. He'll be playing in front of one of the best safeties in the league in Minkah Fitzpatrick, and with good linebackers like Elandon Roberts and Payton Wilson.
Steelers' Elandon Roberts Will Free Patrick Queen Up To Make Plays
Roberts is one of the more underrated players on the Steelers. He isn't the household name that Smith is, but he is just as effective when it comes to stopping the run. Roberts had over 100 tackles in 2023 in just 15 starts, and was elite when it came to stuffing running lanes. Being able to rely on Roberts to make these kinds of plays up near the line of scrimmage will free Queen up to make plays in the backfield and in the passing game.
Queen was an All-Pro in 2023, and he will look to keep that success going with Pittsburgh in 2024.
