Patrick Queen Ravens Contract: Cap Room vs. Social-Media Scrub
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OWINGS MILLS — Patrick Queen's future with the Ravens was already uncertain this offseason.
Now, the inside linebacker has added more intrigue to the equation.
Queen scrubbed the Ravens from his social media accounts, raising further speculation about his time for the franchise.
The Ravens have until May 1 to decide whether to pick up Queen's fifth-year option for 2024.
GM Eric DeCosta was non-committal about extending an offer to Queen.
"We were really excited by the way Patrick played this year," he said. "We think he made a jump. He showed play-making ability, and leadership. He just really, really over the course of the season became the player that we kind of envisioned him being.''
“Specifically speaking to the fifth-year option,'' the GM continued, "I’m probably not prepared to make that announcement at this point. ... Does it make it difficult to sign him long-term? If he’s a great player, we’ll find a way to make it work. If he’s playing at a high level, we want to keep as many good players as we can."
Queen is coming off his best season in the NFL.
He started all 17 games and managed career-highs in tackles (117) – also a team-high – sacks (5), quarterback hits (14), interceptions (2), and passes defensed (6). Queen also forced a fumble and had two fumble recoveries.
The Ravens recently signed fellow inside linebacker Roquan Smith to a five-year, record $100 million deal. Baltimore also is trying to work out a new mega-deal with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is a pending unrestricted free agent.
This raises the question of whether the Ravens have two inside linebackers with mega deals.
DeCosta said there is enough room for both players.
"I think we have the best two young inside linebackers – the combo, the tandem, it’s exciting – in football," DeCosta said. They make our defense a problem for other teams, and it’s something that is going to cause a lot of teams' problems moving forward.
"So, I think we’re in a great position there. I think our defense is exciting, and we can’t wait to see him next year.”
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