The Pittsburgh Steelers had a successful 2024 offseason, highlighted by the signing of outside linebacker Patrick Queen. The Steelers secured Queen with a three-year deal worth $41 million, a move the team was thrilled to make. Queen joins the Steelers after four impressive seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
Drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Queen had his best season in 2023, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Despite his heated rivalries with the Steelers in the past, Queen is now ready to embrace his new role and play the villain in the Steel City.
As Organized Team Activities (OTAs) commenced, Queen has already made a significant impact. His attitude aligns perfectly with the Steelers' culture, and he adds to an already formidable defense. In a recent interview on the Steelers_DB YouTube Channel, Queen revealed a unique personal goal he has set for himself for the 2024 season.
“For me, just solidifying myself as a top three linebacker in the NFL. Some people saying top three, top 10, top seven, or whatever it may be. My job this year is just to solidify top three. No order. I don’t care as long as I solidify myself top three. You know that is what my goal is.”
During his four-year tenure in the NFL, Queen has consistently made his presence felt. This year, besides focusing on winning games for the Steelers, his primary goal is to establish himself as one of the top three linebackers in the league. Queen explained how he plans to achieve that goal.
“What comes with that is All-Pro, Pro Bowl, tackles, turnovers. I think turnovers is the biggest thing getting my hand on the ball whether that’s forced fumbles or interceptions. Whatever we gotta do.”
Queen has accumulated four interceptions, five forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries during his career. As a rookie, he returned an interception for a touchdown. Known for his speed and hard-hitting ability, Queen is also adept at dropping back into coverage. His knack for forcing turnovers is something the Steelers will greatly value, and he aims to add to those numbers in 2024.
Achieving these goals will help solidify his status as one of the top three linebackers in the NFL. Notably, Queen also revealed that he turned down approximately $5 million to join the Steelers, emphasizing that winning is a top priority for him. Additionally, he has set some ambitious goals for the Steelers as a team in 2024.
“For the Steelers defense and the Steelers team as a whole. We just got to come out and just play football. Play hard-nosed, gritty football. Get the ball and take the ball from people. Mike Tomlin is fueled on turnovers. That’s the biggest way to win games. As a defense we got the right people to do that. You look all over the field it’s playmakers at each position.”
Queen has thoroughly enjoyed his brief time playing under Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. He knows Tomlin values a defense that excels at forcing turnovers, and Queen aims to make a significant impact in this area, striving to win the turnover battle in every game.
Winning the turnover battle greatly increases the chances of winning the game, a fact both Tomlin and Queen understand well. With playmakers at every position, the Steelers' defense is poised to be formidable this season.
Steelers Have An Abundance Of Play-makers On Defense
Steelers captain and veteran Cameron Heyward opted to skip OTAs for the first time in his career, hoping to secure a new deal. Despite this, it's likely he will still be playing for the Steelers in 2024, continuing to anchor the defensive line as he has throughout his career. Though he's nearing the end of his prime, Heyward underwent surgery this offseason and is now healthy.
Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joey Porter Jr. will solidify the secondary, while team MVP TJ Watt will once again be among the league's best players. Alex Highsmith is poised for another standout year, and the Steelers have further bolstered their star-studded defense. With these playmakers, the Steelers' defense has the potential to be the best in the league in 2024. Queen has set some big goals but he has the tools to surpass them in his first year with the Steelers.
