Players moving between teams in the same division is a rarity. Typically, NFL teams don’t want to shore up their heated rival, especially with two guaranteed matchups against them. However, the Baltimore Ravens came across this situation with linebacker Patrick Queen.
A first-round draft pick for Baltimore, Queen was a strong addition to an already vaunted Ravens defense. However, once his rookie contract expired, Queen chose to find his way over within the division to the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a season of action, how does he feel about his move?
Patrick Queen Adamant About Move to Pittsburgh
In his first season with the Steelers, Queen has been right around his career numbers, albeit a bit lower than his usual production. In 17 games, he’s tallied 129 total tackles, including 65 solo, with six tackles for loss and one sack.
Injuries and a gauntlet over the last four games may have pushed them down to 12th in Pro Football Network’s Defense+ metrics, but Queen was a pivotal piece for a Steelers defense that ranked inside the top 10 much of the year.
LB Patrick Queen stands by his decision to sign with the #Steelers.
“This is where I’m supposed to be. I made the right decision. I’m happy with my decision.” pic.twitter.com/ayKDNALZQ8
— Aaron Becker (@Aaron_M_Becker) January 8, 2025
Queen did start off slow, but over the course of the season, his numbers kept improving. Talking about his decision to come to Pittsburgh, Queen said, “When I’ve been with this team for a whole season and we’re going to the playoffs, we got big goals, big dreams and stuff. So, I feel like, at this point, it’s what it’s supposed to be.
“I made the right decision. I’m happy with my decision. I just can’t wait.”
And why should he wait? During the season, Queen had arguably his best game of the year when the two squads faced off in Week 11. He totaled 10 tackles and even forced and recovered a fumble on tight end Isaiah Likely.
Queen’s decision to come to the Steelers also had an adverse effect on Baltimore’s defense. Even though they’ve improved over the last seven weeks, Baltimore started off with one of the worst defenses in the league through Week 10.
A big part of that was the loss of Queen, who was named to the Pro Bowl after a career year in 2023, which saw him post a career high in tackles. This, after the Ravens declined his fifth-year option, was enough justification for the linebacker to go out and seek a new contract.
The defensive-minded brilliance of Mike Tomlin was all too happy to accept, and the two sides came to terms on a three-year deal worth $41 million.