The linebacker position has been a sore spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers for years. They have been unable to draft and develop players at the position, which has led to some middling results for their defense in some areas.
Last offseason, general manager Omar Khan committed a lot of resources to shoring up the second level of the defense. He signed Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts and Kwon Alexander in free agency just to see Holcomb and Alexnader suffer season-ending injuries.
That led to veterans Myles Jack and Blake Martinez being signed out of retirement and the team relying more heavily on Mykal Walker than they thought they would be. Knowing they needed to shore things up again, Khan is taking another swing in free agency.
NFL News & Rumors: Patrick Queen, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
This time, he is going to the top of the market. As shared by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who gives credit to his ESPN co-worker Marcus Spears, the Steelers have agreed to a three-year, $41 million deal with linebacker Patrick Queen.
This is a huge deal for the Steelers. Not only did they upgrade a weakness in their defense, but they directly weakened a division rival. Queen had spent the first four seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens as a bitter rival of Pittsburgh
Adding the 24-year-old Queen to the second level of their defense gives the Steelers a star at every level. Along the front, they have T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Cam Heyward rushing the passer. Queen will now slide in behind them with Joey Porter Jr. and Minkah Fitzpatrick leading the secondary.
NFL News & Rumors: Patrick Queen, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
Queen has seen his production skyrocket in recent seasons, succeeding no matter the role the Ravens asked him to play. In 2023, he made the All-Pro Second Team and was selected to the Pro Bowl after recording 133 tackles with 3.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss and six quarterback hits.
It has been a while since the Steelers had a do-it-all linebacker in the middle of their defense, but that will change now that Queen is in town. Most importantly, he has been durable throughout his career, as he has yet to miss a game in the NFL.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
