The Pittsburgh Steelers added to their defense in a big way this offseason by signing Patrick Queen, previously of the rival Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers offered Queen enough money at a position which doesn't always demand that kind of income these days.
Queen claimed the Steelers weren't the top bidders. Instead, the star linebacker chose a chance to win over potential capital.
“From the 15 teams that I was talking to it came down to like five at the end. 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 told Derrick Bell of Steelers Now.
Ravens fans were furious about Patrick Queen's comments
This, understandably, sent Baltimore Ravens fans over the edge. Queen's deal with the Steelers -- at three years and $41 million -- is the largest free-agent contract in team history. It's unlike Pittsburgh to spend frivolously in free agency, but Queen could be worth the money.
“I am really just trying to win right now and get that out of the way. I will get paid later,” Queen said.
Ahh yes the Steelers who are in “win now mode” if win now mode is going right above .500 to get eliminated in the 1st round and pick early 20s the whole decade sure go to a win now team 🤣
— ZFARM (@ZFARM_) May 26, 2024
💀💀he thinks his best chance of winning is with a team barely skeeting around .500 where he has to compete in the hardest division in football to have a chance at a wild card spot? crazy
— Jeremy (@iceup89) May 26, 2024
Dude thinks he got a better chance beating the chiefs with russell wilson than the ravens ok brother man pic.twitter.com/DuYj5vFRZE
— 🥷🏽 (@kimberwalker77) May 26, 2024
Queen isn't clear about which teams offered him more money, however, which quickly dismisses the argument of any Ravens fans claming he took less to join a rival. It's unclear if Baltimore even wanted Queen back, and at what rate.
The Ravens brought in Roquan Smith alongside Queen a few seasons ago, and the latter shined when he didn't have the spotlight on him. In Pittsburgh, he'll have to be the main guy -- the Steelers view him as a Ryan Shazier-type.
Queen still has a lot to prove, and that's likely why the Ravens let him walk in the first place. It's a risk but one Baltimore was willing to take.