One of the top defenders still on the market has found a new home. Linebacker Patrick Queen has agreed to a three-year, $41MM contract with the Steelers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Providing a breakdown of the deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes Queen will receive an $11.59MM signing bonus in addition to his guaranteed salary ($2.25MM) in 2024. The other years include respective roster bonuses of $6.67MM and $2.5M due in March of 2025 and ’26, making this essentially a year-to-year agreement.
The Ravens declined Queen’s fifth-round option last spring, setting up 2023 as his walk year. The former first-rounder continued his career progression last season, his first full one playing alongside All-Pro Roquan Smith. The latter received a record-breaking deal not long after Baltimore traded for him, something which signaled a Queen departure in free agency.
The 24-year-old profiled as the top inside linebacker available this offseason, and to no surprise he has managed an eight-figure-per-year accord on the open market. The $13.67MM annual average value of this pact checks in lower than what many figured a Queen deal would look like, however. The LSU alum will rank seventh in the NFL amongst inside linebackers in terms of AAV with this pact.
Pittsburgh is not traditionally known as a team willing to make big splashes in free agency, although in recent history that reputation has changed to a degree. GM Omar Khan was likely to authorize a large LB commitment this offseason given the state of the Steelers’ depth chart. Toward the end of the 2023 campaign in particular, the position was decimated by injuries.
A few additions were made at the LB spot last offseason, one in which failed first-rounder Devin Bush unsurprisingly departed in free agency. Cole Holcomb inked a three-year deal, but his debut Steelers campaign was cut short in November by a season-ending knee injury. His absence was compounded later that month when fellow newcomer Kwon Alexander suffered a torn Achilles. As those two veterans rehab, Queen will take on a central role in the Steelers’ defense.
Pittsburgh would welcome better health at the LB spot in 2024, something which should be expected given Queen’s versatility. The LSU alum has not missed a game in his career, one which has seen him develop with each passing year. Queen earned second-team All-Pro honors as well as a Pro Bowl nod last season after he recorded a career-high 133 tackles. Known as a strong blitzer, he has racked up 13.5 sacks in four seasons and he will look to continue that production in his new AFC North home.
Houston and Carolina emerged as potential Queen suitors once the negotiating window opened. The question of whether those teams would be willing to meet his asking price was raised, although that is now of course a moot point. Queen will face high expectations moving forward with his new team, while the Ravens will be tasked with finding an impact starter to pair with Smith.
NOOOO!! I WANTED HIM TO THE EAGLES!
My wish from the other Queen post came true! So happy to see him in Black and Gold
Haha guess not
Nice. Add and subtract move for the Steelers within the division. Even better.
Awesome addition.
Now hit the secondary and o-line
Omar. Khan. Don’t. PLAY!
Like this move a lot, but they still need to draft a partner for Queen, or sign a stop-gap vet if Holcomb can’t come back.
Robert’s is more than capable for the time being but they do need to add depth in the draft
Has there been any updates on Holcomb?
As of a month ago, they were still saying his “ future is uncertain”. Shame
damn, that sucks
Seattle really dropping the ball right now.
Disagree, they have more pressing needs then spending 13 million a year at LB
TMQ, what needs are those? LB is an enormous need for the Seahawks right now after losing Brooks and Wagner.
Not savvy by the steelers. Queen is good hut they could’ve spent half as much and gotten 80-90% of the production elsewhere and added depth other places.
Not as much the case this off-season with inside linebackers.
Tons of edges available though. Markus golden might be back cheaper than last year.
I think between Baker or Campbell or Jewell for 2 years you could pay half the AAV and get 85% of the production.
Can’t hate the move bit they have holes at CB still and O line.
Draft and probably more moves to come.
They need to bring the downvote back.
Not for the signing, for some of your comments
True
Wasn’t to keen on the signing until I saw the cost.
I was expecting him to sign for a lot more but for this price and the length I am better than OK with the pick up
Ravens should have matched that offer. Queen got less than he as looking for. Steelers loaded up with PQ and Russ.
Could win the division in 24.
Lol @ thinking Russell Wilson is a winning player.
Nobody can win in Denver. Except their opponents.
Yeah 9 time pro bowl player and nearly 2 time Super Bowl winner. Dude sucks. He was flat terrible in Denver but he does have a track record of being a winner
Highwaymenace — Lolol @ thinking the Steelers had a QB last year. A rock is an improvement at QB for us. He will do better at QB than what we had, and we had a .500 team last year. You’re not even winning in the comment sections
I was hoping the Steelers would spend their cap space on a starting ILB and a starting strong safety since corners, offensive tackles and now defensive tackles get paid and the Steelers arent going to spend that kind of money in free acengy. Then use the draft to get a corner and build both lines. Wasn’t expecting Queen specifically but it’s a pleasant surprise and if the team can get a stud on the d-line in the draft they’ve got a really impressive front 7.
Possibly still moved to come.
Let’s see how good, or not, he is without Roquan Smith. Queen had been a moderate disappointment in Baltimore until Smith arrived.
He’s still very young at a position where it can take a few years for guys doing hit their full stride, but I’m with you. I wouldn’t be eager to pay big money to see if he can be this kind of player when he’s not second fiddle.