The Steelers have been one of the energetic groups in free company this offseason, touchdown a number of gamers who ought to make an influence for them in 2024.
Nevertheless, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes certainly one of Pittsburgh’s latest additions shall be a key piece to its protection for a few years to come back.
In truth, Fowler thinks the Steelers’ signing of former Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen is the “finest total free agent signing” so far.
“Pittsburgh will get a defensive cornerstone at a place that has lengthy been depleted,” Fowler writes. “Including a fourth defensive star alongside T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cameron Heyward will repay within the AFC North. And bonus factors for stealing Queen from the rival Ravens.”
The Steelers not solely stole Queen from their AFC North division rival, however in addition they obtained him for a tune, signing him to a three-year, $41 million contract. The idea across the league was that the 24-year-old might have made upwards of $18 million per yr.
Nonetheless, Queen grew to become Pittsburgh’s highest-paid free-agent signing in franchise historical past, and rightfully so.
He has been one of the productive inside linebackers within the league over the previous couple of years, posting 250 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two pressured fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three interceptions and 12 defensed passes.
Queen additionally fills a significant gap for the Steelers, who’ve been looking for a sideline-to-sideline inside linebacker since dropping Ryan Shazier to a spinal harm in 2017.
Pittsburgh has combined and matched veterans for years and watched linebackers Cole Holcomb (knee) and Kwon Alexander (Achilles) endure season-ending accidents final season.
Normal supervisor Omar Khan lastly stated it was sufficient, going all in on Queen. Fowler, like many, believes it can repay for the Steelers as Queen is ready to change into the “quarterback” of their star-studded protection for the foreseeable future.
