There is a lot that can be said about this free agency window but as the Baltimore Ravens have learned, there has been a tendency this offseason for free agents to sign with the division rivals of their former teams. The stigma has always been that players who switch teams within the division have a chip on their shoulder regarding their former teams. No where in the league is that more apparent than the elite AFC North this free agency period.
Baltimore Ravens Victims of Bad Blood from Former Players
Last season, the Ravens were the number one seed in the entire NFL heading into the post season. Unfortunately, it is common for elite teams like that to struggle retaining players in the offseason due to the league’s salary cap structure. What has been unique about this window for Baltimore however has been the ill feelings that it’s former players have shown the team.
No one is a better example of that for this unit than Baltimore’s former star middle linebacker Patrick Queen. Queen was drafted out of LSU with the 28th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft and has been a solid player for Baltimore but the team decided that its financial focus would be spent elsewhere this offseason.
@Patrickqueen_ You’re Dead to us, Queen. Good luck, You’re Dead to me. https://t.co/JHb1KFX2qS pic.twitter.com/pP7hKT9MO1
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 12, 2024
Not sure which news I’m most excited about: Blocking for 👑 Henry every game, or getting to 🥞 @Patrickqueen_ twice a year 🤷🏼♂️🥲
— Pat Ricard 🥞 (@PRic508) March 12, 2024
While free agency departures given salary cap struggles are usually amicable, Queen clearly has some hostility reserved for his former club. After star Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and star fullback Patrick Ricard called Queen out over X (formerly known as Twitter), Queen has been open to “playing the villain” against Baltimore in the upcoming season as he signed with the team’s bitter long-term rival: the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Patrick Queen about staying in the AFC North:
“I want to be that villain .”#steelers pic.twitter.com/EFpOT97BmJ
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) March 15, 2024
Well after all of this drama, Queen clearly had had enough of the city of Baltimore attacking him for his choice of free agency selection. On Saturday evening, Queen made a post on X calling out the entire city for the disrespect that he has gotten over the past week.
Honestly bruh y’all can stfu now. It’s not even that deep for us players until game week and y’all can’t understand the fact it wasn’t up to me. I gave y’all everything I had now when it’s time for me to do what I need y’all hurt bout everything I say. Go touch some grass and…
— 🦈 (@Patrickqueen_) March 16, 2024
On top of that series of events, Queen was supported by the unlikeliest of people. Shortly after the tweet from Queen, former Ravens and now Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone came to his defense and completely agreed with the sentiment after he was also called out by Jackson this week.
— Geno Stone (@GenoStone22) March 16, 2024
Jackson and the city of Baltimore are certainly not making any friends within the division and let’s just say that everyone is going to be chomping at the bit to play the divisional contests this upcoming season.
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