OWINGS MILLS — It didn’t take long for former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen to embrace the “villain” role as a new member of archrival Pittsburgh.
Queen was selected by the Ravens with the 28th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He had his season as a pro in 2023-24, earning Pro Bowl honors after finishing second on the team and 16th in the NFL with 133 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks.
But because the Ravens had already signed fellow inside linebacker Roquan Smith to a five-year, $100 million deal last season, there were not enough funds to keep Queen.
After signing a three-year, $41 million contract with the Steelers last week, Queen went on social media to announce his new role.
“It’s going to be weird, but I want to be that villain. I want to be that guy. I’m looking to do some stuff to them,” Queen said about the Ravens.
Baltimore fans didn’t appreciate that sentiment and traded barbs with Queen on X, formerly Twitter. The comments aggravated Queen even further.
“Honestly bruh y’all can … now,” he wrote on X. “It’s not even that deep for us players until game week and y’all can’t understand the fact it wasn’t up to me. I gave y’all everything I had now when it’s time for me to do what I need y’all hurt bout everything I say. Go touch some grass and fill the void in y’all life. To ones still showing love even with the switch this not to y’all.”
The Ravens and Steelers have one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL, and this new dynamic with Queen could take it to an even higher, more personal level.
Beckham bids farewell
The Ravens have parted ways with star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
The team could not absorb the $50 million salary that would have become fully guaranteed in 2025 if he stayed on the team. Beckham signed a one-year deal worth up to $18 million last offseason and finished with 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns over 14 games.
Huntley finds a new home
Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley found a new home with the Cleveland Browns. Huntley was a free agent this offseason, and the Ravens are looking for a new backup for Lamar Jackson.
Huntley, 26, was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted rookie from Utah in 2020, Over his four-year career in Baltimore, Huntley went 3-6 as the starter with a 64.6 completion percentage, 1,957 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He has a career 79.0 rating.
Huntly joins a crowded field in Cleveland. The Browns have Deshaun Watson as the starter with Huntley, Jameis Winston, and 2023 fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson competing for the backup job.