This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a significant move by signing free agent linebacker Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract. Queen, who took a couple of million dollars less to join the Steelers, expressed his desire to be part of a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
The excitement surrounding Queen’s addition to the Steelers' inside linebacker group is palpable. The squad was already talented, and bringing in a star player like Queen represents a major boost for the organization. Adding to the intrigue, Queen was acquired from the Steelers' AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, where he had established a solid career.
Queen’s history with the Ravens means he is well-acquainted with several Steelers offensive players. Notably, his past matchups with Steelers running back Jaylen Warren have been particularly intense. As training camp progresses, the competitive spirit has been evident. On Tuesday, as practice sessions intensified, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly appeared on The Pat McAfee Show to discuss Queen’s performance.
"He’s got the A+ in trash-talking 101, let me tell you that," said Kaboly. "He’s definitely going to be an upgrade to this team at inside linebacker. Another star on the defense and they have a ton of stars at every level right now. He’s just a different breed. He’s definitely a three-down linebacker."
Kaboly noted that Queen has been making a strong impression not only with his on-field skills, but also with his exceptional trash-talking abilities. This fiery demeanor adds another layer of excitement as Queen integrates into the Steelers' defensive lineup.
Kaboly mentioned that Queen was not holding back and even got in his teammate's faces during practice Tuesday.
"He definitely likes to chat it up today," Kaboly stated. "During live drills today, they did one-on-ones and one of the running backs blocked a linebacker and they cheered. He says, 'Man, that wasn’t a block, that’s a tackle.' He just started getting in people's faces like that. He’s not holding back. He’s definitely an A+ player."
When Queen joined the Steelers, he made it clear that he plans to embrace the role of the villain. Early signs show he’s fully committed, bringing a high level of intensity to training camp.
Queen, who has already made a significant impact in his career, aims to build on his momentum as he settles into his new home in the Steel City. The Steelers' defense is brimming with talent, featuring playmakers at every level, and is expected to be one of the top units in the NFL.
The anticipation was high when the pads went on, with fans eagerly awaiting the first "backs on backers" drill. Given Queen's history with Warren, this matchup was particularly anticipated.
According to Christopher Carter, Warren and Queen split their series, with each player securing one victory, including a memorable pancake.
Steelers' Patrick Queen Not Scared To Trash Talk
Queen’s intensity adds an exciting dimension to an already formidable Steelers defense. Although the 2023 season saw the defense make some significant splash plays and create momentum, the team’s overall performance was somewhat inconsistent. Despite having a historically poor offense and a quarterback room that combined for only 13 passing touchdowns, the Steelers managed to win 10 games. This was largely due to the play of the defensive unit.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, there is optimism that the offense will improve with new additions and a better system. Combined with the already strong defense and Queen’s presence, the outlook for the Steelers is increasingly positive.
Queen is set to bring his fierce intensity throughout camp and into the new season, ready to challenge opposing offenses. Fans are eagerly anticipating more updates on Queen's trash-talking prowess and his battles in training camp.
