The Baltimore Ravens showcased arguably the most formidable defense in the league throughout the 2023 season. Maintaining this defensive prowess in 2024 will be crucial if they aspire to advance further and secure a spot in the Super Bowl.

However, preserving their top talent presents a considerable challenge, particularly with standout linebacker Patrick Queen poised to enter free agency.

There is a looming possibility of Queen joining one of the team’s major rivals, intensifying the pressure on Baltimore to retain him.

Which bitter AFC North rival could Queen possibly join? That team would be the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Why the Steelers? Quite frankly, Pittsburgh loves adding to their defense and Queen fits the kind of mold that they look for in a linebacker. This isn’t a report that they’re interested in him, but the door is open for the Steelers to swoop in and steal him away.

The fit would make a ton of sense for both parties involved.

Queen is anticipated to attract significant interest in the market. Inside linebackers with his agility and youth are rarely available before turning 25, especially after the impressive performance he delivered this past season.

Consequently, projecting his contract demands suggests that keeping Queen in Baltimore may prove to be a daunting task.

The situation presents uncertainty for both parties. While utilizing the franchise tag on Queen seems logical for Baltimore, it’s worth noting that the team opted not to exercise his fifth-year option just months ago.

This decision has potentially paved the way for Patrick Queen to explore opportunities in the market, including the possibility of joining a rival team like Pittsburgh. Hopefully for the Baltimore Ravens, that doesn’t end up being the case.