The Pittsburgh Steelers and General Manager Omar Khan have had a very aggressive offseason in 2024. They have made multiple splash signings in free agency while being extremely active in the trade market. One of Pittsburgh's biggest moves of the 2024 offseason was signing young, yet experienced inside linebacker Patrick Queen. Queen spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Steelers largest rival, the Baltimore Ravens, and their fan base quickly turned on Queen once it was announced he was coming to Pittsburgh.
Shawn Hubbard / Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Queen chases down Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary during a 2023 playoff game.
Queen has had some back-and-forth with Ravens fans on social media, mostly due to the fans being disrespectful and rude to the 24 year-old linebacker. Queen moving on from Baltimore should not have come as a surprise to the fans, as the Ravens already locked up Roquan Smith and made him the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL.
It would not make sense for Baltimore to invest more into the position through just one player. Despite this, Ravens fans are still upset about the departure of Queen. The most recent interaction on social media came when a fan tried to troll Queen by telling him he chose the wrong city after the Baltimore Orioles beat the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.
https://t.co/4kZfeF3M98 pic.twitter.com/HdsSJzVYuv
— 🦈 (@Patrickqueen_) April 6, 2024
The Orioles got the victory in the Pirates home-opener for the 2024 season, which isn't great, but there are 162 games in the MLB season. Baltimore and Pittsburgh are not rivals in baseball as they don't even play in the same league. The Steelers have also been on a hot streak against the Ravens, and Queen only won one game against Pittsburgh during his four years in Baltimore as the Steelers are 7-1 against the Ravens since the start of the 2020 NFL season.
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Linebacker Patrick Queen leaves the field following a game with the Baltimore Ravens
Insinuating that the Steelers will suddenly start losing to the Ravens, even though the Steelers acquired one of Baltimore's best defenders, is crazy. The Ravens have lost a ton of talent in free agency like Queen, Geno Stone, Jadeveon Clowney, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson.
The Ravens did sign Derrick Henry, who has been one of the best running backs in the NFL over the last six seasons, but Baltimore will also be tasked with replacing three of their five starters on offensive line from 2023 while Henry isn't getting any younger as he enters his ninth season.
On paper, the Ravens are a scary team. They have one of the most dynamic players in the league in Lamar Jackson, who just picked up his second MVP Award following the 2023 season. He won the MVP in 2019 as well, before losing his next three starts against Pittsburgh. The Steelers have had the Ravens' number as of late, despite the Ravens having more recent success in the postseason.
Shawn Hubbard / Baltimore Ravens
Former Baltimore Ravens' linebacker Patrick Queen reacts after making a play against the Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Queen Brings Elite Play To The Second-Level Of Pittsburgh's Defense
Queen has been one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL since entering the league ahead of the 2020 season, and he is coming off of his best year in 2023. Queen earned his first All-Pro and Pro-Bowl nods for his play during the 2023 season, and the Steelers were able to sign him for a steal at just $41 million over three years.
Queen has had over 100 total tackles in three out of his four seasons, while also recording 4 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, 37 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks. He has a nose for the football, and he will certainly benefit from playing next to a run-stuffer like Elandon Roberts.
The Steelers have struggled at the linebacker position ever since the devastating injury to Ryan Shazier, and then the failure of Devin Bush. Now, Pittsburgh has a certified star at the position along with two solid, starting-caliber players in Roberts and Cole Holcomb.
What do you think of Queen responding to Baltimore fans? Let us know in the comments below!
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