Queen downplays having the green dot

by Bo Marchionte
Published May 29, 2024, 03:43 PM

Pittsburgh, PA – The acquisition of Patrick Queen has brought one of the more enthusiastic reactions from Steelers Nation. A knowledgeable fan base that knew what the Baltimore Ravens were losing when the productive veteran signed with Pittsburgh earlier this spring in free agency. 

Queen was a key component of the Baltimore defense that ranked first overall in the National Football League in points allowed last season and two other times in the top three since being drafted 28th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

“Every time you think about this game you want to be the best,” Queen said after the second week of OTAs. “I want to be that guy. I want to be known.”

A prerequisite for becoming the guy on the defense at linebacker usually results in wearing the prestigious green dot. Despite Queen’s quick rise to the top of Baltimore’s defense the Ravens elected to stick with veteran safety Chuck Clark with the duties. 

“In practice I might have it,” Queen said about wearing the green dot in Baltimore. “They wanted Chuck (Clark) to have my first three years because he was a veteran.”

Last year, Queen entering his fourth season in the NFL said the dot was bestowed upon him, but he was reluctant to put much stock in having that little green sticker on his helmet. 

“Yes,” Queen said in regard to having the green dot on his helmet in year one in Pittsburgh. “It’s really nothing. Everybody has got to make calls and communicate and talk to each other. Having that green dot is just getting that play out there.” 

With 454 career tackles, Queen has accumulated three-plus one hundred tackles season in his first four years in the NFL and has averaged 113.5 per season. A career high of 133 tackles in 2023 also earned Queen his first Pro Bowl honors and finished as a second-team All-Pro.

His reputation precedes him as being one of the top playmakers in the NFL, which leads to hefty expectations for Queen heading into his first season with the Steelers. Queen’s experience and leadership will help bolster the Steelers’ linebacker corps, contributing to a more dynamic and formidable defense. 

He did reveal that as good as he is there is still a learning curve to getting up to speed and acclimating in the new defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. 

“Trying to pick up the defense,” Queen said. “It’s been a little rocky with the new terminology and all the stuff, but for the most part it’s been smooth sailing.”

The addition of Queen should make it for smooth sailing this season for the defense under the criteria that everyone remains healthy. The unit possesses some of the most talented players at their respected positions.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com