Baltimore Ravens set to lose another key member of their defense to an AFC North rival
For the second day in a row, the Baltimore Ravens are set to watch another playmaker leave their defense to a team they play twice a year. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports via Marcus Spears that linebacker Patrick Queen is set to sign a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $41 million. Queen is the second […]
For the second day in a row, the Baltimore Ravens are set to watch another playmaker leave their defense to a team they play twice a year.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports via Marcus Spears that linebacker Patrick Queen is set to sign a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $41 million.
Queen is the second starter from Baltimore's defense expected to join a rival team on a multi-year deal, with safety Geno Stone agreeing to terms with the Cincinnati Bengals Monday afternoon.
Queen and Stone combined to play 2,246 snaps from Week 1 through the AFC Championship game last season.
While Stone more recently emerged as a starter, Queen has been the center of the Ravens' defense since being drafted with the 28th overall pick in 2020. He really began hitting his stride as a consistent all-around defender over the last two years when Mike Macdonald took over as defensive coordinator. Compared to 2020-21, his missed tackle percentage and passer rating allowed in coverage both improved from 2022-23, per Pro Football Focus.
All is not lost as Roquan Smith still patrols the middle of the field for Baltimore, and Malik Harrison has been re-signed to a one-year deal. But fully replacing Queen as the guy next to Smith will be challenging, as will adjusting without Stone back at free safety. Tall orders indeed for newly promoted defensive coordinator Zach Orr, who was Queen's position coach for the past two years.
That both are sticking around to pester them in the AFC North makes it sting that much more.
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