Many NFL players ended up signing with their rival teams during this offseason including Patrick Queen. Queen, a former Ravens player, has joined the Pittsburgh Steelers for the upcoming season.
Soon after his move, the LB posted publicly that he wanted to be the villain against the Ravens. However, in a surprising move, the LB has retreated from his villainous stances.
Patrick Queen retreats from his villainous stance
The things between Patrick Queen and the Baltimore Ravens became complicated after he entered his final year in 2023. The team declined to offer him a fifth-year option even though he had the best performance in the 2023 season, earning Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro selections.
While the Ravens were not adamant about continuing with him, the Steelers saw the potential in him and signed Queen in a three-year, $41 million contract. After getting this lucrative deal, the LB publicly announced that he had become an enemy of the Ravens.
“I want to be that villain. I want to be that guy. I’m looking to do some stuff to them.”
However, just after one day of announcing his villainous stance the LB had to retract from his stance because of extreme fan reactions. Patrick Queen expressed frustration with the reaction from fans and clarified that his decision was not personal but rather a business move.
“Honestly bruh y’all can stfu now. It’s not even that deep for us players until game week and y’all can understand the fact it wasn’t up to me. I gave y’all everything I had now when it’s time for me to do what I need y’all hurt bout everything I say. He emphasized that the animosity wasn’t necessary until game week and urged fans to understand the circumstances.”
The LB emphasized that the animosity wasn’t necessary until game week and urged fans to understand the circumstances. Seems like Patrick Queen couldn’t tolerate the extreme fan reactions who backlashed him for using strong language against his former team.
Patrick Queen “wanted to fight” Mike Tomlin
Patrick Queen not only announced his villainous motives against the Ravens but also declared that he wanted to fight the Pittsburgh Steelers coach, Mike Tomlin.
During his introductory press conference, the LB revealed that he hasn’t always had warm feelings toward the people in Pittsburgh.
He shared an incident from his rookie season stating that the Steelers coach, known for his sarcastic comments, told him that he wasn’t a Raven until he’s beaten the Steelers.
“Any time you join this organization and they talk about this game, it’s the game that defines you and makes you a Raven,” Patrick Queen said per SI.
“When I was on their sideline my rookie year, Mike Tomlin was looking at me, yelling at me, ‘You’re not a Raven. You’re not a Raven. You’re not supposed to be there. You’re not one of them.’ So every time I play them there’s something personal.”
The LB also revealed that he wanted to fight him at that point, “I wanted to fight him right then and there.”
The irony is that rather than fighting Mike Tomlin now, he is going to play under him. As Queen has entered the Steelers, he will have to face Mike Tomlin and bode well with him. Now a Steeler, Patrick Queen will have his former team the Ravens as his biggest rivals.
