Steelers agree to deal with LB coming off of career year

One of the top defenders still on the market has found a new home. Linebacker Patrick Queen has agreed to a three-year, $41M contract with the Steelers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

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, which signaled a Queen departure in free agency.

The 24-year-old was profiled as the top inside linebacker available this offseason, and it's no surprise that he has managed an eight-figure-per-year accord on the open market. The $13.67M annual average value of this pact is lower than what many figured a Queen deal would look like, however. With this pact, the LSU alum will rank seventh in the NFL amongst inside linebackers in terms of AAV.

Pittsburgh is not traditionally known as a team willing to make big splashes in free agency, although that reputation has changed to a degree in recent history. Given the state of the Steelers' depth chart, GM Omar Khan was likely to authorize a large LB commitment this offseason. 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. Queen will take on a central role in the Steelers’ defense as those two veterans rehab.

Pittsburgh would welcome better health at the LB spot in 2024, 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 and 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 will look to continue that production in his new AFC North home.

Once the negotiating window opened, Houston and Carolina emerged as potential Queen suitors. 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.