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Steelers' Omar Khan Works Crazy Magic As Contract Numbers Released For Patrick Queen

Originally posted on Steeler Nation
By Parker Abate, Associate Editor | Last updated 3/12/24

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a huge splash in 2024 free agency on Tuesday. The legal tampering period continues to provide unexpected twists and turns and General Manager Omar Khan agreeing to a deal with former Baltimore Ravens' linebacker Patrick Queen was an insane development. Pittsburgh needed help at the position, and went after a 24-year old who still, unbelievably, has his best football ahead of him. It doesn't stop there, however. The cap hit for Queen in his first year will allow Khan to continue on with an aggressive approach in free agency.

Mike DeFabo of The Athletic took to X to lay out the details surrounding Queen's contract that he is expected to sign when the new league year begins on Wednesday. It once again proves how much of a wizard Khan is when it comes to cap numbers. He made a huge splash with a three-year, $41 million deal for Queen, but has plenty of room to work with.

Patrick Queen’s cap hit this year is his prorated bonus (1/3 of $11.59 mil = $3.86M) + 2024 salary ($2.25M) = $6.13M cap hit for the best ILB on the open market. https://t.co/037mZVyoh6
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 12, 2024

That number of $6.13 million would currently be 10th on the team, even behind linebacker Cole Holcomb. That is truly remarkable for a guy who was looked at as the best free agent inside linebacker on the market. The Steelers will now continue to throw money out there as a small little rebuild continues internally. Not to mention, having your expected top two quarterbacks with cap hits combined of under $5 million.

DeFabo was responding to a tweet from NFL insider Tom Pelissero. It appears, as expected, that Pittsburgh will give Queen a nice pay day in 2024, but will also have options in the final two years.

Details on Patrick Queen's three-year, $41 million deal with the #Steelers:

2024:
$11.59M signing bonus
$2.25M salary (guaranteed)

2025
$6.67M March roster bonus
$7.16M salary

2026
$2.5M March roster bonus
$10.83M salary

So Queen gets $13.84M this year, then PIT has options.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2024

It's hard to argue with the numbers overall. Queen was originally valued at well over $14 million a year based on his age and productive play over the first four seasons of his career in Baltimore. It was a wise move by his camp as well. Now, he will hit the free agency market once again as a 27-year old. He could cash in big-time again in just three years. His cap charges will be much higher in years two and three, but the structure allows the team to continue to spend in 2024.

Pretty genius for Patrick Queen and his camp to work out a three-year deal. Will still be young enough and in his prime to cash in on another huge deal. #Steelers
— Steeler Nation Parker (@SNParker_) March 12, 2024

There are plenty of reasons to love this signing by the Steelers. Overall, Pittsburgh gets a linebacker who can absolutely fly around. On top of that, he has never missed a game in his professional career. After the organization suffered two devastation injuries to the position in 2023, Khan and co. didn't just go after a stud, but a healthy one at that.

Steelers' Spending Spree Should Continue With Plenty Of Area To Address

Pittsburgh needs help all over the place. Khan has helped fill holes at quarterback, punter and now linebacker, but will also need to take a look at the markets for linemen on both sides of the ball, cornerbacks, wide receivers and safeties. Buckle up, because there is no way that the "Khan Artist" is done making magic happen in free agency.