Ravens' Patrick Queen Ponders 'What's Best For Me?' In Free Agency
There is in the NFL a time and a place for everything. Baltimore Ravens devotion once the ball is snapped? Standout linebacker Patrick Queen has been all about that as he's played - and played well - on his rookie contract.
But Queen is slated to hit free agency when the NFL business year begins in March. And now "the time and the place'' is about more than just Baltimore.
“Of course,'' Queen said, via Baltimore’s official YouTube account, of his desire to re-sign with the Ravens. “I definitely would be nice to come back, but, at the same time, I’ve got to do what’s best for me, best for my family.''
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Queen starred at LSU, propelling him to being selected by the Ravens with the 28th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. That rookie contract has been a bargain; he's developed into a star while making about $3 million a year.
The contract projection from Spotrac going forward? A five-year deal totaling $92 million.
"A time and a place''? Quinn, 24, picked the exact right time to put on film his best year ever, as in 2023 he totaled 133 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and six passes defended.
He earned a Pro Bowl selection and was also named a Second-Team All-Pro ... all after Baltimore declined Queen’s fifth-year option before the season. The decision made sense on one level; teams cannot, as a practical matter, "sign everybody.'' And this team already has a massive investment in another linebacker in Roquan Smith, and also has to make big-money decisions on two other defensive free agents, Justin Madubuike and safety Geno Stone.
This team also made it to the AFC Championship Game before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are now in the Super Bowl against the 49ers. So "keeping the band together'' is a consideration.
But ... Add in quarterback Lamar Jackson's new five-year, $260 million contract inked last offseason, and Baltimore is facing some difficult decisions in the future regarding the salary cap.
That's why Queen is phrasing it exactly right not only by saying he's got to do what's best for him, but by also adding regarding the Ravens, "And then they’ve got to do what’s best for them on the other side as well.”
