The Baltimore Ravens declined Patrick Queen’s fifth-year option last month. Queen would have earned $12.722 million in the 2024 campaign under the option, but he is now set to hit free agency for the first time in his career after the upcoming season.
Queen was asked on Thursday about the Ravens' final call on this matter, and the third-year linebacker was straightforward with his response.
“It's a blessing in disguise, really,” Queen said on Thursday. “You see guys go both sides of it and get paid either way. At the end of the day, I'm just focused on being the best teammate I can be, being the best player that I can be and just going out there and proving myself.
“Going out there and playing the game that I love to play at a high level.”
As mentioned, Queen will become a free agent next year. At the moment, the former LSU standout is “not focusing on the future.”
“But like I said, at the end of the day, I am not focusing on the future,” Queen said. “I'm just focused on right now. I think if I take care of my business and do what I'm supposed to do, all of that will fall into place.”
Queen had a productive 2022 season, as he managed to bounce back from his sluggish 2021 campaign. The versatile linebacker recorded a career-high in both total tackles (117) and sacks (5.0). He also allowed an 83.1 passer rating when targeted mark, which was much improved from his number in the previous season (115.6).
In the big picture, Queen has his sights set on making the most out of his upcoming fourth year with the AFC North side.
“Just playing my style of football,” Queen said. “I figured that out the last back half of the season last year, so I think at this point, it's just me going out there and playing football. There's no more building into it. There's no more, ‘Can he take the leap?' It's just me playing my style of football.”
Queen has been a regular at the Ravens’ OTAs. Baltimore’s OTAs schedule will continue on Friday.
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