Maybe you’ve heard all the talk about how the Steelers reworked the quarterback depth chart. But maybe we should be focusing on a pairing in the Pittsburgh defense.
After all, the Steelers signed Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen in off-season free agency. So he’ll be playing alongside sack master T.J. Watt. The thought of those two on the same side, plus Alex Highsmith, probably should intimidate opposing offenses.
They’re both together as official teammates this week as the Steelers opened phase three of OTAs. And Watt said he’s very impressed with Queen, the former LSU star and Baltimore’s first round NFL Draft pick in 2020. The Steelers signed Queen, who was a second-team All Pro last season, to a three-year deal worth $41 million.
Watt knew all about Queen long before the inside linebacker signed with the Steelers.
“Speed is the first thing that comes to mind,” Watt told reporters about his new teammate. “A guy who blows up opposing offenses. We watch a lot of Baltimore film because we play a lot of the same opponents. A lot of the game stunts that he does in the pass rush is something that sticks out to me.
“I’m just looking forward to getting to know him and getting to learn and hopefully take something away from him to help my game and help us be a better defense.”
Queen said Steelers are ‘building foundation’ for defense
As for Queen, he’s trying to acclimate to a new team, a new system. For his first four seasons in the NFL, the Steelers represented Ravens biggest rival in the AFC North. Now, Queen needs to absorb the rivalry and refocus.
So far, so good.
“It’s fun,” Queen told the media. “Everything that you’d expect coming up to organization like this. Right now, we are building the foundation, trying to get a feel of everything, the coaches, how everything is run here. It’s all good.”
He said he’s following a simple plan to get adjusted.
“Just coming in here and doing what I am supposed to do,” the new Steelers linebacker said. “Help this team win. Just coming in here, doing my job at a high level. That is the reason they brought me in here. Me coming here, doing my job, what they ask me and at a high level.”
So yes, talk about Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the two new quarterbacks, is warranted. But the Steelers defense may be stealing the show in 2024.
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