As expected, a number of free agents have departed the Ravens this offseason. Last year’s top seed in the AFC faced the prospect of losing a number of starters, and linebacker Patrick Queen was among those who quickly found a new home on the open market. 
The 2023 Pro Bowler signed with the division-rival Steelers on a three-year deal which was agreed to on the second day of the negotiating period. Queen’s pact carries an annual average value of $13.67MM, the fifth-highest figure in the league amongst inside linebackers. After 2024, though, the deal is essentially set up as a year-to-year agreement, marking a surprising lack of long-term security for the second-team All-Pro.
Especially against that backdrop, it is also noteworthy the Ravens remained consigned to the idea of Queen leaving on the open market. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic notes Baltimore “made no effort this offseason” to retain the 24-year-old (subscription required). The team had a number of other priorities to deal with, and as one of the top free agents on the defensive side of the ball Queen was positioned to command a large market. Even though he worked out a relatively small deal (at least in terms of upfront guarantees), the Ravens clearly turned their attention elsewhere.
Of course, three key decisions made by the team signaled an end to Queen’s time in Baltimore. The Ravens acquired Roquan Smith midway through the 2022 campaign, inking him to a $20MM-per-year deal shortly thereafter. That contract remains at the top of the LB market, and making a similar commitment to Queen would have proven to be a steep financial challenge. Baltimore also elected to decline Queen’s fifth-year option last spring, a move which fell in line with the other linebackers from the 2020 class but nevertheless set up 2023 as a walk year.
Lastly, Baltimore selected Trenton Simpson in the third round of last year’s draft. That provided the team with a potential Queen successor, and Simpson is indeed currently positioned to take over as a starter alongside Smith. The latter is on the books through 2027, but the Ravens could of course use the 2024 draft to add a depth option at the linebacker spot.
Queen will face substantial expectations as a key member of the Steelers’ defense moving forward, and annual contests against Baltimore will provide fodder for storylines centered on him. While it is little surprise he will be suiting up for a new team in 2024, the Ravens will see Queen at least twice next season after conceding his departure well before free agency.
Next man up
As long as Roquan is healthy Ravens LB room is in a great place.
Thanks for the memories Patrick. But dude, Steelers?!?! Really!!! Of all the teams to sign with. That’s just wrong, man.
It’s ok. You got Arthur Maulet
Hope Queen dogs the Ravens for the next three years and beyond
Oh that Steelers-Ravens rivalry. Throw the records out. 2 teams that can’t stand each other, spending a couple of hrs together beating the crap out of each other. Love it!
Think I enjoyed it most in the Polamalu-Roethlisberger-Harrison-Flacco-Ed Reed-Ray Lewis years. Seemed even grittier.
Still a great rivalry, although I have no idea how the Steelers are 7-1 in the last 8
Down right entertaining throw downs indeed
And, yep, 7-1. Ugh. Each game, probably a different reason. The one that kills me was at Pittsburgh last season. The way the media talked up the game, the Steelers didn’t have a chance. Yeah, right.
I’m fairly certain 2 of those Steelers wins were thrown the Steelers way because the Ravens were saving guys for the playoffs.
Oh yeah, 100%. May actually be a couple more where Lamar didn’t play. But the feeling here is somehow, the Steelers have his number
With Queen here and hopefully a much better offense, hoping for better moving forward
Mutt n jeff..DUDE…it’s all about money…besides the ravens didn’t want him. So he goes to the steelers,why? Because players love to play for tomlin…get over it DUDE
Yep, when it comes right down to it, it is “all about the money”. Look at Clowney. Up there in age, you’d think he’d sign with a contender but takes the money in Carolina.
Hey the guy in Baltimore is a player’s coach too, dude!
Like “Mut n jeff”. LOL
I’m ‘all about the money’ as well; just coming up slightly less than pro athlete’s salaries.
He was never coming back after the Smith trade and extension barring a catastrophic injury to him. Before the Smith trade, Raven fans were saying he was a bust anyway, so it remains to be seen how he performs without Smith directing traffic next to him.
Yep. And for all that Queen got out of being a great athlete, Trenton Simpson’s measurements and athletic testing compare pretty similarly to him, so they have a natural replacement. Queen may well blossom–he isn’t even 25 yet–but I think the Ravens were very ready to lose him.
I’m starting to think Off Ball/MLB is a tough position. Offenses are designed to trick you. You have activity going on 360 degrees around you. You have to play the run and pass equally well. It’s a position that takes some players time to develop. Here we go Steelers! A lot of ?s heading into next season. Hopefully Queen is an answer and stabilizes the MLB position.
Starting to think? For all the reasons you said, it’s tough. Anyone taking that position for granted has never played or doesn’t understand football he game
*the game
Looks like they’re not really counting on Holcomb for a while, if at all. And I’m not seeing anything about Kwan Is he finished here? They still need help on D-line or Queen is going to be getting a helluva lot of work
Instincts are very important. Queen just didn’t show that before Smith played next to him, which allowed him to maximize his athletic prowess more without that burden on his shoulders of calling the defense and being its heart.