Patrick Queen Opens Up On Decision To Sign With Steelers

Patrick Queen was one of the most coveted defensive players in free agency this past March, but he ultimately chose to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a three-year, $41 million deal.

Queen recently sounded off on his decision, explaining that he actually accepted less money to join the Steelers.

“From all the 15 teams that I was talking to, it came down to like five at the end,” Queen told Steelers DB. “It was just like five teams in the mix. Some of them were offering some $17 (million per year). After that it was like, I have a chance to either go win or I have a chance to get paid. For me, the difference was like $4 or $5 million. I’m looking at it like, I’ve never been on a losing team before, and then I also don’t want to be a part of anything being rebuilt because I’m trying to win now. … I’m really just trying to win right now, get that out the way and then get paid later.”

Queen, who played his collegiate football at LSU, was originally selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 28th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign, playing in every game and racking up 106 tackles, three sacks, an interception, a couple of forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown.

The 24-year-old then took a bit of a step back in his sophomore season, finishing with 98 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He bounced back in 2022, totaling 117 tackles, five sacks, two picks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and six passes defended.

Queen proceeded to make his first trip to the Pro Bowl this past season after registering 133 stops, 3.5 sacks, a pick, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and six passes defended.

The Ventress, La. native never missed a game throughout his four-year tenure with the Ravens. Now, he will be joining their AFC North rivals.

Some have questioned how Queen will be able to manage without fellow linebacker Roquan Smith, who had been playing alongside of him in Baltimore.

But Queen has plans of “solidifying” himself as a “top-three linebacker in the NFL.”

We’ll see if Patrick Queen can reach that next level in Pittsburgh.