Following the Ravens’ loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, their focus now switches to the 2024 season. Baltimore has several key players set to become free agents, including LB Patrick Queen, whose future with the team is up in the air.
“This is where I started at so it would definitely be nice to come back,” Queen told reporters. “But at the same time, I’ve got to do what’s best for me, do what’s best for my family. And then they’ve got to do what’s best for them on the other side as well.”
In a perfect scenario, Queen would be back with the Ravens, who he’s spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with. But there are a few factors that will make that difficult.
Salary cap
Baltimore is projected to have just $13.65M in cap space, according to Pro Football Focus. Of course, there are several moves the team can make to clear up more space. But money will be tighter than ever after giving QB Lamar Jackson a five-year, $260M contract last offseason.
Large investment at LB
The Ravens have also already made a large investment in the position. After trading for LB Roquan Smith in 2022, the team handed him a five-year, $100M extension in the offseason. Smith has proven to be worth every penny, but a lot of money is already tied up at linebacker.
Baltimore used its 2023 third-round pick on LB Trenton Simpson as well. Although Simpson didn’t have much playing time this year, he showed promise in the regular season finale with seven tackles and a sack. Simpson may just turn out to be Queen’s replacement.
Back-to-back dominant seasons
Queen has certainly earned himself a massive payday over the past two years. The 24-year-old has posted 250 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and 12 passes defensed from 2022-23.
Following Queen’s back-to-back dominant seasons, he is expected to receive a five-year, $92.64M deal ($18.5M per year), per Spotrac. As much as the team may want him back, it just may not be possible.
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