The Baltimore Ravens recently declined the fifth-year contract option for linebacker Patrick Queen, but the former first-round pick doesn’t appear to be taking the news too hard. Speaking to reporters, Queen said that he considers this to be a “blessing in disguise” and that he’s confident that everything will work out for the best.
Patrick Queen: Ravens Declining Fifth-Year Option Was “Blessing In Disguise”
The Interview
As a former first-round pick, the Baltimore Ravens had the option to add a fully-guaranteed fifth year to Patrick Queen’s contract. The team declined, meaning that the linebacker will be a free agent following the 2023 season. While some players wouldn’t be too thrilled about this, Queen sees a silver lining.
“It’s a blessing in disguise, really. 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 gate that I love to play at a high level.”
From a certain point of view, Queen has a point. While the security of a fully guaranteed fifth year certainly has its benefits, this will allow the linebacker to hit the free agent market one year earlier. If he responds with a career year, he could earn a massive payday, similar to what Josh Jacobs did in the 2022 season.
Fortunately, Patrick Queen is in a position to make quite a bit of money in the upcoming season. Roquan Smith will be the top linebacker on the depth chart, which should free up Queen to play a role that caters more to his strengths. He played some of his best football in 2022, and if he can carry that over to 2023, then he should earn a considerable raise from one of the 32 teams.
.@Patrickqueen_ says he and Roquan Smith are the "best LB duo in the NFL." 😤
Need proof? PQ said "turn on the tape" 💪 pic.twitter.com/xQWlyNZm13
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 2, 2023
Will Patrick Queen Stay With the Ravens?
Of course, just because Patrick Queen might earn a larger payday doesn’t mean it will come from the Ravens. As previously mentioned, Smith is locked in as the top linebacker on the depth chart, and the team also selected linebacker Trenton Simpson in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
General Manager Eric DeCosta said that he wants to reach a long-term agreement with Patrick Queen, but we all know that actions speak louder than words. The fact that they turned down the fifth-year option implies they’re willing to let him go, and Simpson’s selection further reinforces that notion.
On top of all that, now that Lamar Jackson is the richest man in football, the team needs to be smarter with how they invest their financial resources. Linebackers aren’t all that important in today’s pass-heavy NFL, and spending big on two separate inside linebackers is a luxury that the Ravens probably cannot afford.
Chances are, Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen will be the two main linebackers for the 2023 Baltimore Ravens, while Trenton Simpson spends the year in a reserve role. However, Simpson has already impressed coaches, and if can prove that he has what it takes to start in the NFL, Smith will probably spend the 2024 season with a separate organization.
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
