Patrick Queen was never supposed to be anything but a Baltimore Raven. Drafted in the first round back in 2020, Queen was brought in to be the next great linebacker in Baltimore, and for four seasons, he seemed to fit that role.
He quickly became a fan favorite, and by 2023, had earned his first Pro Bowl nod, racking up 133 tackles and making a major impact on the Ravens’ defense. But in a gut-punch moment for Ravens fans, Queen ended up in enemy territory when the Steelers scooped him up in free agency this offseason.
How did one of Baltimore’s young defensive stars end up across the field in Pittsburgh? The move had everything to do with Roquan Smith’s arrival in Baltimore.
After trading for Smith last season, the Ravens handed him a lucrative extension, signaling they’d chosen Smith as the cornerstone of their linebacker corps. That decision left Queen without a long-term offer from Baltimore, a reality he admitted was tough to swallow. Now he’s wearing black and yellow, getting ready to face his former team in one of the NFL’s biggest rivalries.
And yes, there’s definitely some leftover tension.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Patrick Queen eyes revenge vs Baltimore Ravens
This week, Queen spoke out about the move, and it’s clear he still feels the sting of not getting an offer from the Ravens. “I wasn’t wanted back,” he said plainly. After four seasons and a ton of time invested in his role with the team, he didn’t expect to be left without a seat when free agency came around.
It stung to realize that while he wanted to stay, the Ravens were willing to let him walk.
Now-Steelers LB Patrick Queen on how things ended in Baltimore, not getting an offer to come back in free agency ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/tVQhBU5S3s
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 13, 2024
In Pittsburgh, Queen has found a team ready to make him part of their defensive game plan, offering him a three-year, $41 million deal and a fresh start. And though he’s tried to move on, he admits he “will have feelings” going into Sunday’s showdown. For a player who spent years battling alongside the Ravens, this game means more than just the usual game.
On the field, Queen’s role in Pittsburgh has evolved. With stars like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward leading Pittsburgh’s pass rush, Queen has focused more on containing the run and working within the Steelers’ front seven.
It wasn’t an easy transition. Queen himself admitted he struggled early on, saying he “had to look in the mirror” and push himself to get back to his own standards. But over the last few games, he’s settled in, recording 32 tackles over four weeks and proving to be an asset to a Steelers defense ranked near the top of the league in stopping the run.
Sunday’s game will undoubtedly have a different energy, with Queen’s history adding another layer to one of the league’s most heated rivalries. Baltimore may have moved on from him, but Queen hasn’t let go of what he sees as a missed opportunity to stay with the team that drafted him.
Baltimore may be focused on building around Smith and other emerging stars, but with Queen lining up for Pittsburgh, don’t be surprised if this one feels a little more personal.
For Queen, it’s a shot to remind Baltimore what they let go, and for Ravens fans, it’s a rare and uneasy sight: one of their former players suiting up for Pittsburgh with a score to settle.