Patrick Queen has entered free agency after enjoying his best season for the Baltimore Ravens and earning a Second Team All-Pro selection. Queen totaled 133 tackles, six quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss. He also both forced a fumble and intercepted a pass last season. The 24-year-old will hit free agency after a career year and will be significantly rewarded. Queen is likely to get around $18-$20 million per season on this next contract, but with whom?
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These five teams could all make a push to sign him once free agency opens up:
5. Baltimore Ravens
Re-signing with the Ravens is the simplest situation for Queen. He knows the team, the system, the city. He’s already been successful in this system. Baltimore, however, has already invested heavily into the linebacker position, signing First Team All-Pro Roquan Smith to a five-year, $100 million contract just last year. They also drafted their Patrick Queen replacement in standout Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson. This prevents the Ravens from going any higher on the list. But if Queen doesn’t have the market he hopes for, or the Ravens become dissatisfied with their linebacker options, a reunion could make both sides happy.
4. Houston Texans
The Texans made some noise this year with star rookie quarterback CJ Stroud leading them to the playoffs. Houston will undoubtedly look to continue to build the team’s core. They could also afford to spend plenty of money while they have their quarterback on a rookie contract.
Blake Cashman was great for Houston but is set to enter free agency. The interest, and perhaps priority, of resigning Cashman prevents Houston from being higher on the list. There should still be mutual interest between Queen and Houston. This will likely only happen if they fail to keep Cashman though. If Queen is the direction they go, the Texans will be creating a scary young core on their defense to anchor their team. At the same time, Stroud could continue to lead the offense.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
This would be the ultimate revenge move for Queen. After not getting an extension to the Ravens, then watching linebacker Roquan Smith get paid, then having the Ravens draft his replacement Trenton Simpson and ask Queen to help develop him, Queen might not be happy with the organization. He could decide to go to their biggest rivals, ensuring he can play Baltimore twice a year for the foreseeable future.
The Steelers are also in need of linebacker reinforcements. They have a strong defense and adding Queen would make them even stronger. Head Coach Mike Tomlin would love Queen’s tenacity and physicality. Pittsburgh might focus more on the offense; but, if the opportunity presents itself to add an All-Pro linebacker from a division rival, they might just take it.
2. Washington Commanders
Washington recently hired Dan Quinn to be their new head coach. His focus is defense, and with the most salary cap space available in the league, he’ll be looking to add. Queen would be the perfect fit as the centerpiece of Quinn’s new defense. His signing might be a perfect fit. They need the help badly, too. The Commanders had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year and will be looking to sign help in all positions.
Washington is also just down the road from Baltimore. This wouldn’t be a big relocation for Queen. It’s easier for him to get situated with the move, and his lifestyle wouldn’t change much. With money to spend, a need for defensive help, and a proximity for Queen, the Commanders are a prime contender to sign Queen.
1. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks come in as the top option to sign Patrick Queen. This seems like a perfect match. Seattle just hired Baltimore’s defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald as their new head coach. Typically when a coach comes in he wants to integrate his system and searches to find his guys to rely on. MacDonald already coached Queen in Baltimore, where the two had great success together. If MacDonald wants someone to rely on when crafting a brand new defense, Queen is the man for the job.
Seattle is also losing their starting linebacker Jordyn Brooks to free agency, so they’ll need to find a replacement. They also have much of their offense taken care of already, making defense the priority. Given that they already need linebackers and the coach has familiarity with him, the Seahawks could be the top destination for Patrick Queen in free agency.
