This may be the last year we see linebacker Patrick Queen in a Baltimore Ravens uniform.
The franchise recently signed fellow linebacker Roquan Smith to a massive five-year, $100 million contract extension. The Ravens also drafted former Clemson Tigers linebacker Trenton Simpson in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
General manager Eric DeCosta recently said the Ravens want to keep Queen long-term, but the numbers might be tough considering the team declined Queen’s fifth-year option.
Queen, for his part, says it’s a blessing in disguise.
“It’s a blessing in disguise, really,” Queen told reporters Thursday, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. “You see guys go both sides of it and get paid either way. At the end of the day, I’m just focused on being the best teammate I can be, being the best player that I can be and just going out there and proving myself. Going out there and playing the game that I love to play at a high level.”
The Ravens would have owed Queen $12.4 million if they exercised the fifth-year option. Queen says he’s using that as motivation for this season.
“Just trying to get better,” Queen said. “Obviously, Roquan is here now, getting an offseason with us. So, just trying to build that chemistry, trying to learn (defensive coordinator) Mike (Macdonald) more, trying to learn the defense more, trying to all of us get on the same page. That’s my main focus right now.”
The Ravens open their season at home against the Houston Texans on Sept. 10th.
[NFL.com]
