New Steelers LB expected colder welcome as ex-rival

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash move during the 2024 offseason by bringing in former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen. After a brutal 2023 season that saw Pittsburgh's interior linebacker corps get decimated by injuries, Queen is now a vital piece in the Steelers' plan to bring stability back to the position. After the first week of Pittsburgh's 2024 organized team activities (OTAs), Queen was already excited about the upcoming season. However, not everything was the way he expected it to be when he joined the Steelers.

After spending the first four years of his career in Baltimore, Queen's transition to the black and gold has appeared to be smooth thus far. However, Queen was prepared for it to be quite different. Speaking to the media following the second day of OTAs on Wednesday, Queen admitted he didn't expect the players in Pittsburgh's locker room to take kindly to a former Baltimore player joining the ranks.

"Yeah, when you're on the opposite of the rival, you kind of don't know everybody but you know the team. So, I did expect some people to have some attitudes. I did expect some people to be a little rough, but, nah, everybody's been smooth. Everybody's been cool, um, helpful. TJ [Watt] is one that I expected to be the most on the other side... but, no, everybody's cool, and I couldn't ask to be in a better place."

The Ravens and Steelers are one of the NFL's nastiest rivalries, and while the games may not include Troy Polamalu or Ray Lewis any longer, the bloody, bruising feeling still remains. 

A part of becoming a true member of the Steelers franchise is understanding the depth of the Baltimore rivalry and why those games just mean a little bit more. Ahead of a 2024 campaign that has the Steelers eager to get back to competing among the elite teams in the NFL, the AFC North matchups along the way are going to be all the more vital.

Queen is also out to prove something in his fifth season in the league. In Baltimore, Queen was paired with Roquan Smith, who is widely considered among the top middle linebackers the NFL has to offer. The move to the Steelers didn't just mean switching sides within the division; it meant he wouldn't have Smith alongside him. For Queen, the question is whether he is as good of a defender as he seems or if playing beside Smith allowed him to reach that level.

Having a positive, welcoming environment within the Steelers locker room is a huge plus for Queen's start in Pittsburgh. With a top-paid defense in 2024, as well as one of the cheapest offenses, Queen will be relied upon to help lock down the middle of the field. With Queen, TJ Watt, and Alex Highsmith ready to take on the NFL's top offensive attacks, the Steelers are ready to make a big leap forward and perhaps, finally, get Watt his first career postseason victory.

Steelers Definitely Love Queen's Durability

The Steelers spent the 2023 offseason bringing in Cole Holcomb and Roberts to shore up the middle linebackers' group. Unfortunately, 2023 ended up being a disaster when it came to defensive injuries, with Holcomb and Kwon Alexander going down for the season and Roberts pushing through injuries through most of Pittsburgh's late-season games. Bringing in Queen wasn't just a big move because of his abilities; Pittsburgh also recognized that Queen had the tendency to stay healthy.

Through four seasons with the Ravens, Queen was rarely on the injury report and didn't miss a game in 67 starts for Baltimore. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Queen was exceptional about remaining on the field, playing in 94 percent and 97 percent of Baltimore's defensive snap counts, respectively. For a team that limped through 2023 and is aiming for a more consistent defensive approach in 2024, the Steelers are ecstatic about every aspect of Queen's game.

Queen will certainly be a key piece for Pittsburgh's defense, but he won't be expected to shoulder the entire weight himself. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, second-year standout Joey Porter Jr., and plenty more talented, young defenders are all ready to play their roles and make an impact for the Steelers. With a brand new offense being rolled out in 2024, the Steelers will need to be defensively prepared every step of the way, and with Queen in the mix, that is a pretty good bet.

What will Queen's 2024 statistics for the Steelers be?