The future of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen is up in the air. The team seemingly selected his long-term replacement in the 2023 NFL Draft, selecting linebacker Trenton Simpson out of Clemson in the third round.
On top of that, the fifth-year option on his rookie contract was declined by the team. Patrick Queen would have earned $12.7 million in 2024 had it been exercised, but now he will be hitting the free agent market instead.
At the time a decision was made about his option, Patrick Queen revealed that he was “pissed” but those feelings have dissipated. At this point, he is okay with having an uncertain future and is focusing only on things that he can control.
“At the end of the day, I get to play football in the National Football League, so that’s a blessing in itself,” Queen said, via Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner. “I talk to [John Harbaugh] Harbs, talk to [General Manager] Eric [DeCosta]. Everything is good and selling right now. I’m not focused on the contract. I’m just looking to play ball. I mean, at the end of the day, I get to go out here and play football and make my market what I want it to be.”
Patrick Queen is certainly taking the high road when it comes to this situation. Having your fifth-year option declined is certainly a tough thing to handle as in a way it is your team saying you haven’t lived up to expectations since being drafted.
However, the LSU product is sure that he isn’t done developing. He has shown improvement every season he has been in the NFL and is ready to have a career season.
“I definitely haven’t even gotten close to the surface of the player I can be, and everybody around here knows it,” Queen said. “I think people around the league know it. And that’s why I’m out here just trying to get better, trying to compete, trying to just master my craft. And I think when I do that, I think the whole league’s going to be on notice.” (H/T ProFootballTalk)
In 2022, Patrick Queen had the most productive season of his career with 117 combined tackles and nine tackles for loss. The Ravens unleashed him as a pass rusher more often and he made the most of it, picking up 5.0 sacks with 14 quarterback hits and 17 quarterback pressures.
Playing alongside All-Pro Roquan Smith for an entire season and entering the second year under defensive coordinator Mike Macdonals, the pieces are in place for another big season for Patrick Queen as he heads into free agency.
