In a fiery revelation, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen has called out his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, accusing them of making it painfully obvious that they had no intention of re-signing him. Queen, who was drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, spent three seasons in Baltimore before being traded to Pittsburgh ahead of the 2024 season. Now, the linebacker is speaking out about how he felt disrespected and unwanted during his final year with the Ravens.
In a recent interview, Queen detailed how he sensed the writing on the wall throughout the Ravens’ 2023 campaign. Despite his strong performance on the field, including recording 108 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception, Queen believes the Ravens never truly valued him as a long-term part of their defense. “It was clear,” Queen said. “From the way they handled things behind the scenes, I could tell they weren’t serious about keeping me around.”
One of the major points of contention for Queen was the lack of communication from the Ravens’ front office about any potential contract extension talks. He mentioned that, despite his solid play and the fact that his rookie contract was coming to an end, there was no real effort from the team to negotiate a new deal. “It was like I wasn’t even a priority,” Queen continued. “Other guys were getting attention, but I was just left in the dark.”
The linebacker’s frustration grew when the Ravens ultimately traded for linebacker Roquan Smith, making it clear that their focus was on strengthening the middle of their defense with another player rather than investing in Queen’s future. The trade deal sent shockwaves through the locker room and raised questions about the Ravens’ priorities when it came to their defensive unit.
For Queen, the situation left him feeling as though the Ravens had already made up their minds before the start of the 2024 offseason. “It wasn’t just about the business side of things,” he added. “It felt personal. They were telling me without saying a word that I wasn’t part of their plans.”
After the trade to Pittsburgh, Queen has found a new sense of motivation. Despite the negative feelings toward his former team, the linebacker is ready to prove his worth in a new environment. His move to the Steelers signals a fresh start for the young player, and Queen is eager to show that the Ravens made a mistake by letting him go.
As Queen prepares for the next chapter of his career, the tension between him and his former team is palpable. Whether his accusations hold weight or not, one thing is clear: Patrick Queen is determined to prove that the Ravens’ decision to let him go was a grave misstep.
