The Baltimore Ravens had arguably the most talented defense in the league last year, but it appears as though a portion of that talent will not come back in 2024. Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and linebacker Patrick Queen are both set to hit free agency, and the Ravens probably can’t afford to bring back both players.
The nature of the salary cap is that teams are physically incapable of signing all of their star players. While Patrick Queen is a good linebacker, the Ravens will probably prioritize Justin Madubuike in free agency. After all, the defensive tackle is coming off a 13-sack season, and collapsing the pocket from the inside is more important than strong linebacker play.
General Manager Eric DeCosta effectively said that Patrick Queen will test free agency during a recent press conference. Saying that the linebacker “had an amazing season,” DeCosta added that Queen “put himself in a great position, potentially, to hit the market and see what his value is.”
Ravens General Manager Implies Patrick Queen Will Reach Free Agency
There are only two ways a team can stop an impending free agent like Patrick Queen from actually hitting free agency. They can either use the franchise tag to keep him around for another year, or both sides can agree to a long-term deal.
As mentioned earlier, Justin Madubuike is going to be the top priority, and Baltimore wil likely use the franchise tag on him if they can’t come to terms on a long-term deal. This means that Patrick Queen has a clear path to free agency, and if wants to maximize his dollars, he’ll probably visit a few teams and see what’s out there.
Technically, the Ravens could try to match any offer Patrick Queen receives in free agency. However, with Roquan Smith already signed to a long-term deal, how much can the Ravens really afford to hand out to their second-best linebacker? Chances are, Patrick Queen will have a new team next year, and these ones make the most sense.
Top Free Agent Destinations
Kansas City Chiefs
Starting linebacker Willie Gay already said his goodbyes to the Chiefs, so it’s safe to assume he won’t be back next year. Gay is a good run defender, but he’s not a true three-down player. Patrick Queen excels in both coverage and at stopping the run, so the Chiefs could upgrade the position in free agency. Kansas City could use a better coverage linebacker, as opposing teams are usually throwing the ball to try and keep up with Patrick Mahomes and the offense.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals looked competitive when Kyler Murray was on the field, but this team still has a long way to go before they’re ready to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Arizona might have the worst collection of linebackers in the league, and signing Patrick Queen in free agency would immediately improve the unit. When you play in a division with Christian McCaffrey, Kyren Williams, and Kenneth Walker, you need good linebackers if you want to slow down the opposing run game.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders had one of the worst defenses in the league last year by just about every metric. First-year head coach Dan Quinn will have his work cut out for him, but the first step in fixing this unit might involve signing Patrick Queen in free agency. Whether it was Bobby Wagner in Seattle, Deion Jones in Atlanta, or Micah Parsons in Dallas, Quinn has always had a linebacker at the heart of his defenses. Granted, Parsons isn’t quite the same type of player as the other three, but the fact remains that Queen would be a perfect fit for Quinn’s defense.
Los Angeles Chargers
With the benefit of hindsight, the Los Angeles Chargers should have selected Patrick Queen over Kenneth Murray in the 2020 NFL Draft. Queen has blossomed into an above-average starter, while Murray has never been anything more than a replacement-level player. Jim Harbaugh will have his work cut out trying to fix this defense, and Eric Kendricks isn’t getting any younger. Patrick Queen won’t come cheap in free agency, but he could be worth every penny as the heart of Harbaugh’s defense.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams surprised everyone by making it to the playoffs in 2023. They knocked it out of the park with their draft class, and the combination of young talent with veteran experience means that this team should make a deeper run next year. However, if that’s going to happen, they could use a linebacker like Patrick Queen in free agency. Ernest Jones is still a good player, but the rest of the depth chart leaves a lot to be desired.
Main Photo: Geoff Burke – USA Today Sports
