Pittsburgh (AP) — For outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, the Pittsburgh Steelers have discovered a running partner.
Inside linebacker Patrick Queen is being courted by Pittsburgh instead of rival Baltimore. Two sources with knowledge of the agreement tell The Associated Press that the Steelers and the second-team All-Pro have reached an agreement on a three-year contract worth $41 million. The individuals, who talked to the AP under anonymity, stated that the transfer cannot be made official until Wednesday, when the new league season gets underway.
Queen, 24, recently finished 2023 with 133 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, and an interception—a career-best season with Baltimore. The Steelers have had difficulty filling a position since Ryan Shazier’s career-ending back injury in December 2017. His arrival fills that need.
Injuries ravaged Pittsburgh’s inside linebacking group last autumn, ending the seasons of Kwon Alexander and Cole Holcomb. While Alexander, who will become a free agent on Wednesday, tore his Achilles tendon in a victory over Green Bay on November 12, Holcomb is recuperating from knee surgery that was performed in early November.
- Queen will be positioned next to Elandon Roberts, who led the Steelers with 101 tackles in the previous campaign. Additionally, it relieves Holcomb of the need to return by the start of the season.
