Latest news with #PatrickQueen
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-Ravens standout has become a steadily declining player on a rival's roster
Ex-Ravens standout has become a steadily declining player on a rival's roster There is only one feeling that compares to basking in the glow of the Baltimore Ravens' success, and that's reveling in the misery of the hated Pittsburgh Steelers. Wins by the Ravens are matched only by losses from the Black and Gold. Every Steelers failure feels like a Ravens triumph. And so on... And, so on... The Ravens' starting quarterback is a two-time MVP. The Steelers don't have one. We think, eventually, they'll add Aaron Rodgers, but no one is certain about that. Rodgers, in the meantime, is speaking in Morse code. None of this can be mentioned without bringing up one of the more recent betrayals, Patrick Queen leaving Baltimore to sign with Pittsburgh. If you've been paying attention, however, you've noticed things aren't working out for Queen in his new city. Patrick Queen continues a downward spiral in Pittsburgh. Football is a business. Fans understand that, so when former Ravens move on, the heart tells them they should wish their former heroes well in other cities. Yeah... No one is wishing Patrick Queen well in the Steel City. Queen hasn't looked as good as he did in Pittsburgh as he did in Baltimore while playing next to Roquan Smith, and it isn't like he doesn't have help. Whether we want to admit this or not, that T.J. Watt fella is pretty good. So, what's going on? It appears regression is setting in. Queen tallied one sack in 17 starts last season, the lowest output of his career, and it seemed like his job would have been made easier with teams having to prepare for one of the greatest sack artists of an era on the other side of the defensive formation. Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus stacked the NFL's 32 best linebackers entering the 2025 season. Roquan Smith landed fourth, which seems respectable and too low. Queen, after two excellent seasons with the Ravens, landed at 16. Cameron offers his theory: "Queen wasn't as strong in his first trip out in Pittsburgh. His 56.7 PFF overall grade fell well short of the 70.0-plus marks he posted in the two seasons prior. Now more acclimated to the Steelers, Queen may return to his baseline, which is 64.0-plus PFF grades in run defense, coverage and pass rushing." Patrick inked a three-year, $41 million deal. That made him Pittsburgh's highest-paid external free-agent addition in Steelers history. They have to be feeling some buyer's remorse as he'll carry an $18 million price tag during the coming season. He'll cost the organization $14 million in dead money if they elect to move on. There's no way Pittsburgh shelled out that type of coin and expected to receive the 16th-best linebacker at the professional level, along with a one-sack season, as part of their return on investment. Meanwhile, Ravens fans aren't complaining. It's always better to move on from players one year early than it is to move on one year later, and if further validation is needed, look no further than Trenton Simpson. He's been a joy to watch since Patrick Queen's defection to the dark side.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Steelers' Patrick Queen: 'It would be cool' if team signed Aaron Rodgers
The Pittsburgh Steelers began their first day of organized team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, and some players are feeling Aaron Rodgers' absence more than others. Linebacker Patrick Queen told reporters Tuesday that, though he believes in the quarterbacks the team already has in the building, he'd still like to call the veteran gunslinger his teammate. "I'm fine with the guys we got right now," he said. "But ... when I was little, I was a fan of Aaron Rodgers. So it would be cool to have him on the team and stuff, but at the same time, the three guys we got right now, I'll roll with them." Patrick Queen:'I'm happy with the (quarterbacks) we have here, but the little fan in me… I grew up a fan of Aaron Rodgers.' — Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 27, 2025 Rodgers, it should be noted, is still a free agent. But the connection he's had with Pittsburgh all offseason looms especially large as the team's offseason training program gets underway. In late March, Rodgers reportedly spent six hours at the Steelers' team facilities meeting with head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan. He eventually left without a deal. A few weeks later, Rodgers joined the "Pat McAfee Show" and disclosed that he was dealing with personal matters, which have delayed his decision about whether he will play in 2025. Sportswriter Ian O'Connor, who wrote a biography on Rodgers, said earlier this month that he expects Rodgers' personal issues to be cleared up by the time the Steelers begin their minicamp in June. Team owner Art Rooney II has also recently told reporters multiple times that he and the team will wait "a little while longer" on Rodgers to make a decision. So as the team's offseason workouts start without Rodgers present, the door is not necessarily closed on a deal. For now, the three quarterbacks the Steelers have on their roster are Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, both of whom signed with the team this offseason, and Will Howard, Pittsburgh's 2025 NFL Draft sixth-round pick. Rudolph has the most starting experience between the three (18 games) and played five seasons with the Steelers prior to joining the Tennessee Titans last year. He re-signed with Pittsburgh on a two-year, $8 million deal in March. In 2024, Rodgers' second and final year with the Jets, the veteran had a completion rate of 63% with 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. New York let Rodgers know the team planned to go in a different direction in February before releasing him in March. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers Steelers rumors: Patrick Queen hopes veteran joins team
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Steelers LB Announces Retirement
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker L.J. Fort (54) celebrates after a special teams play during the third quarter of the National Football League game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on September 9, 2018, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. Pittsburgh and Cleveland tied 21-21. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire) Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker L.J. Fort revealed on Instagram that he's officially retiring after a 10-year career in the NFL. Fort has been out of football the last three seasons, last playing with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021. 'I didn't get picked up until Thursday after the draft, preparing to start another career. All I needed was an opportunity and I'm forever thankful to the ones who gave me just that! Never could have imagined 10 years in the game!' Fort wrote on Instagram. Advertisement 'Thank you to all my family, friends, teammates, agent, trainers, staff, and organizations who helped me turn my childhood dream into a reality! It doesn't matter how you start, ignore the circumstances and get to work!' Several former Steelers commented on Fort's post. Current Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen also replied, the two crossed paths in Baltimore. Fort played for eight different teams over his career, but his longest tenure was a four-year stint with Pittsburgh from 2015 to 2018. Fort, 31, posted 63 total tackles, five tackles-for-loss, two tackles and a scoop-and-score while with the Steelers. Advertisement Fort initially signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Northern Iowa in 2012. Fort finished his career with 173 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 10 pass breakups, five sacks, one forced fumble and one interception. He played in 91 career games and started 19. In 2024, Fort was named the linebackers coach at Melissa High School in Texas. — from the Washington Football Team vs. Baltimore Ravens at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. October 4, 2020 (All-Pro Reels Photography) This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former Steelers LB Announces Retirement
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Morice Blackwell Jr. hoping to make his mark at Steelers Rookie Mini Camp
After going undrafted Morice Blackwell Jr. is getting the opportunity to prove himself. The former Longhorns linebacker has been a participant at the Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie Minicamp this weekend. Over the last two days, he has been trying to show why he belongs in the NFL. Blackwell was mainly a rotational linebacker during his four years as a Longhorn. He also spent some time on special teams. His best season came as a senior, recording 30 total tackles, including 17 solo. He also had two four-tackle games, with those coming against Michigan and Oklahoma. Advertisement The Texas native finished his college career with 65 tackles and two pass deflections. He was a solid depth piece as the Longhorns made two straight playoff appearances. Regardless of the situation, Blackwell made the most of his opportunities. As Blackwell looks to carve out a role, he will face competition from Jack Sawyer, Carson Bruener, and Bam Brima. Currently, the Steelers linebacker core consists of former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt, Pro-Bowler Patrick Queen, and Peyton Wilson, who was stellar as a rookie. While that group has frustrated offensive coordinators, they could use more depth. That is where Blackwell hopes he can be of assistance. With one day left in the mini-camp, Blackwell will not have to wait long to know his fate. Regardless of the outcome, it is a good sign that at least one NFL team was willing to give him a shot before finalizing their roster. Although there are over 40 players in camp, Blackwell hopes his play stands out. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Morice Blackwell Steelers
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers Sign Massive DT to Rookie Deal
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive tackle Yahya Black during rookie minicamp on May 9, 2025. -- Ed Thompson /Steelers Now The Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive tackle Yahyah Black have agreed to terms on a rookie contract. The Steelers selected Iowa defensive tackle Yahyah Black with the 164th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft—a selection originally owned by the Kansas City Chiefs before a trade-up. Black was a disruptive presence on the Hawkeyes' defensive line in 2024, finishing with 34 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, and a blocked field goal. Advertisement Black was a force—literally and figuratively—on Iowa's front. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 320 pounds with a wingspan of more than 7 feet, he anchored well against the run and held strong against double teams. That skill set fits the Steelers' mold, allowing inside linebackers like Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson to stay clean and attack downhill. He plays with strong gap discipline and consistently maintains leverage, making him a reliable early-down defender. His length also allows him to disrupt passing lanes and alter throws. Yahya Black, Iowa Athletics Black joins a retooled Steelers defensive line that includes Keanu Benton, veteran Cam Heyward, and first-round pick Derrick Harmon from Oregon. While Black will likely begin in a rotational role, he projects as a good fit in Pittsburgh's 3-4 front. He primarily played as a 3-technique at Iowa but also has the flexibility to align as a 5-technique in sub-packages. Advertisement He'll reunite with fellow Iowa product Kaleb Johnson, a third-round pick by Pittsburgh at running back. While terms of Black's deal have not yet been disclosed, estimates the contract at four years and $4.5 million, including a signing bonus of approximately $360,000. Black is the fourth of the Steelers' seven draft picks to sign his rookie deal, further reinforcing general manager Omar Khan's commitment to building a defense capable of shutting down the run. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Sign Massive DT to Rookie Deal Related Headlines
