Regarding LB Patrick Queen’s grade out, how did the Steelers handle him?
Reaching a contract with linebacker Patrick Queen, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a big move during the permissible tampering period of free agency. Following a great four-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens, the former first-round draft pick was also among the top-ranked linebackers available in free agency.
A total of 133 tackles, 84 solo tackles, nine tackles for a loss, six quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and six pass deflections were recorded by Queen last season, who started every game. He was chosen for his first Pro Bowl and named to the second team of the All-Pro team.
Queen will be moving from the Ravens to the rival Steelers while remaining in the AFC North, which is his familiar division. He will be expected to support a linebacking group that will probably look to him to lead them. Elandon Roberts, Mark Robinson, Cole Holcomb, and free agent Kwon Alexander will all likely be joining him after he leaves.
However, he’ll be joining defensive players Cameron Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and TJ Watt, which may make the Steelers a very deadly front-line defense.
How, therefore, did this transaction rate? Let’s assign a grade.
Evaluating Patrick Queen’s Steelers contract
It should come as no surprise that the Steelers prioritized defense in their free agency class. During Mike Tomlin’s coaching career, the Steelers have always been about that. And it starts to pose a little issue in a division that features quarterback Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow, and reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, all of whom have access to excellent weapons.
Sure, they signed Russell Wilson for a low salary, but they lost their top receiver, Diontae Johnson, to the Panthers in exchange for Donte Jackson, an alright cornerback. All of this indicates that the Steelers are the team that invests the most money and attention in defensive players. That was demonstrated by Queen’s signature.
To be sure, the Steelers have been attempting to plug a hole in the middle of their defense for years, so this was a position of significant need. In 2024, Queen will be expected to play quarterback on that side of the ball. Is Queen prepared for a position like this, though? Recall that Queen struggled in his early career and didn’t even begin developing into the playmaker he is now until the Ravens acquired Roquan Smith from Chicago two seasons ago. Queen’s output experienced a significant upturn once the former Bear signed a contract with the Ravens in 2022.
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