The Pittsburgh Steelers and General Manager Omar Khan made big moves during the 2024 offseason. This included the splash signing of Patrick Queen, who they stole from the Baltimore Ravens. A player jumping ship from Pittsburgh's biggest rival ignites the fire even more, which has been seen from the way Queen has been interacting with his former teammates in Baltimore. He has gotten into more than one back and forth with Marlon Humphrey on social media.
Most Ravens fans went from loving, to hating Queen. Ever since Queen decided to ink a deal with Pittsburgh in free agency, Baltimore fans and media figures have tried to cope by saying Queen isn't a good player. They try to convince themselves that he was only productive in Baltimore because they also had Roquan Smith. This argument was brought up again by The Vinny & Haynie Show, which is a program on local Baltimore radio.
"Can he be that guy? 'Cause he was asked to be C.J. Mosley, Ray Lewis here, wasn't happening. We talked about it for years, Batman and Robin. We say he's a Robin and he needed a Batman to help him out. Because his career and his numbers took off once he got Roquan."
Queen played two full seasons in Baltimore before the Ravens traded for Smith. Queen wasn't playing at an All-Pro level during his first two years, which few players do, but he was still an above average linebacker. During his first two seasons without Smith, Queen recorded a total of 204 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 5 sacks, an interception, and consistently held up in coverage.
Those numbers are nothing to scoff at. Also, it would make sense that a player improved as they got deeper into their career. They develop more, and get used to the NFL level. Queen had the best season of his career in 2023 alongside Smith, but that isn't solely due to Smith's presence. Queen has gotten better over time, which he proved as he was named an All-Pro for his performance in 2023.
Queen recorded 133 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 6 passes defensed in 2023. These are all number he will look to improve upon during his first season in Pittsburgh. He may have had the luxury of playing with Smith in Baltimore, but now he gets to play on a defense that has arguably the best edge-rushing duo in the league. TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith will open up lanes for Queen to get to the quarterback, and make it easier on Queen in coverage.
A player at the caliber of Smith will elevate anyone he is around, but he doesn't deserve all of the credit for Queen's career. Queen has turned himself into an above-average linebacker that will look to cement himself as one of the best in the league in 2024.
Steelers Have A Great Linebacker Unit To Pair With Queen
Aside from the elite pass rushers on the Steelers' defense, they also have their own linebackers for Queen to play alongside. Elandon Roberts is an underrated player who is one of the best run-stuffers from the linebacker position in the league. He had over 100 tackles in 2023 while starting just 15 games, and was able to get the quarterback a couple of times as well. Roberts and Queen should be one of the breakout linebacker duos in the NFL in 2024.
Aside from Roberts, the Steelers are waiting for Cole Holcomb to return from injury. He is a solid player when healthy, and was on pace for a great season in 2023 before his gruesome knee injury. Payton Wilson was drafted in the third round by the Steelers in 2024, and was considered one of the biggest steals of the draft. He is versatile, can cover, and deliver powerful blows on ball carriers.
This Pittsburgh linebacker group has a chance to be one of the best, with Queen leading the way and becoming his own version of Batman.
