Former Ravens Pro Bowler admits he took less money just to sign with bitter division rival
There was a time in the NFL when the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens rivalry was downright bad blood. Easily still one of the biggest in the sport, the brutality and downright hatred for one another has waned over the past decade, however. Nothing proves that more than a former homegrown talent like Patrick Queen […]
There was a time in the NFL when the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens rivalry was downright bad blood.
Easily still one of the biggest in the sport, the brutality and downright hatred for one another has waned over the past decade, however.
Nothing proves that more than a former homegrown talent like Patrick Queen signing with the rival Steelers, and for less money.
Queen Goes to Pittsburgh for less
“From the 15 teams that I was talking to it came down to like five at the end," Queen told Derrick Bell of Steelers now on his YouTube channel, Steelers_DB. "It was five teams in the mix. Some were offering some seventeens ($17 million per year). I had a chance to either go win or a chance to get paid. For me, the difference was like four or five million. I’m looking at like I have never been on a losing team before. I also don’t want to be part of anything being rebuilt because I’m trying to win now."
Queen signed a three-year deal worth $41m, including $13.8m guaranteed and an average annual salary of just over $13.6m, making him the 5th highest-paid inside LB in the league.
It's not clear if the Ravens were one of the teams offering Queen money in the $17m range, but it's safe to assume that their offer was much lower if Queen took an APY in the $13m range to sign with Pittsburgh.
That's not Baltimore's fault though. I'm sure they would have liked to keep Queen around on a hometown discount, but less than a year removed from signing Lamar Jackson, trading for Roquan Smith, locking up Justin Madubuike, and planning for future deals like Kyle Hamilton, Queen was the odd man out.
The loss of his presence will undoubtedly be felt. Pro Bowl LBs with his kind of speed and instincts don't grow on trees.
But Queen didn't flash his true potential until he had Roquan Smith by his side, who is still in Baltimore and one of the best inside backers in the league.
To use a car analogy, the Ravens are the multi-millionaire who has both a Ferrari and a Maserati. Do they need both? No. Would they like to have both? Sure.
Queen finished his career in Baltimore playing and starting every game, recording 454 tackles, 15 pass breakups, 13.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 4 interceptions, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro accolades across four seasons.
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