The Baltimore Ravens defense was one of the best units in the NFL this year, and LB Patrick Queen was a big reason why. With All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith getting most of the recognition — and the money — there seems to be a reality in which Queen is not retained in Baltimore despite being a high-quality player.
The Ravens opted not to pick up his fifth-year option last year, setting the table for Queen to hit the free agent market this offseason. As a result, there is a real chance he will be wearing a different uniform come September. We examine some of the fits as we look at where he may end up for the 2024 season.
Patrick Queen Landing Spots: Options Abound From Washington State to Washington, DC
Linebacker play is in an interesting place across the NFL right now. While some of the best teams in the league value the role and have stars at the position, others feel like LBs are like RBs in that you may be able to find production without spending top dollar for it.
With Queen being productive during his time in Baltimore, he will surely have a market for his services this offseason. Let’s look at a few teams that make sense.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks feel like an obvious fit here, given the addition of Mike Macdonald as the team’s head coach. Macdonald left his role as the Ravens defensive coordinator to be the man in Seattle, and if there is any coach in the league that knows what Queen can bring to a defense, it’s Macdonald.
With that said, it will take some cap space gymnastics to allow for the Seahawks to be players in free agency.
MORE: NFL World Reacts to Seahawks Hiring Mike Macdonald
But that’s a common theme around the league, and with a new head coach in town, one could assume the organization will allow Macdonald to shop around for the pieces he wants to build around.
In Seattle, there is uncertainty at the position when it comes to Jordyn Brooks and an aging Bobby Wagner, and while adding to the position via the draft is always a quality route, recruiting Queen to be a veteran presence who understands what’s expected of a Macdonald-coached unit could pave the road for a smooth transition.
Washington Commanders
It’s a new day in Washington, as the team announced former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as the Commanders’ new head coach. Washington has a ton of money to spend, a new head coach in the fold, and new ownership. All of these components add up to a belief that they will be players in free agency this year.
Quinn dealt with less-than-ideal situations at the linebacker spot while in Dallas, and with a new owner who may be eager to make a splash, adding Queen to the group would be a good move for the Commanders.
With pieces like Jamin Davis and Cody Barton in place, supplementing the LB room with Queen could help round out what might be a pretty solid second level for the Commanders’ defense in year one under Quinn.
Dallas Cowboys
While history tells us that the Cowboys in recent years have no interest in going big in free agency, Jerry Jones mentioned that this year will be “all in” for Dallas. What that looks like remains to be seen, but with a new defensive coordinator coming in following Quinn’s departure, there are a lot more questions than answers right now.
The one thing that’s clear is that Dallas has a talent issue at the linebacker spot, and Queen may be able to help. While Micah Parsons can play linebacker, he is correctly viewed as more of a pass rusher who is situationally counted on to play linebacker rather than an every-down off-ball LB.
MORE: Will Dan Quinn’s Departure Set Back the Cowboys’ Defense?
Leighton Vander Esch’s career is in jeopardy following another neck injury, and outside of Damone Clark, the Cowboys have zero playing experience or confidence-inspiring pieces left in the room. Markquese Bell is a safety who had to play linebacker, and while he filled in admirably, it never felt like a long-term fix.
It will take a change in philosophy from Mr. Jones and Co. to add Queen, but they said that things may be different in 2024. For that reason, this may make more sense than we realize.
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