Daily News & Links: Patrick Queen Signing Receives an A; Tyler Boyd on Steelers Radar?

Steelers Daily News & Links: Your daily stop for all of the news and links from the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL and around the Sports Now Group

🏈 The 33rd Team gave the Pittsburgh Steelers an “A” for their signing of inside linebacker Patrick Queen.

“Patrick Queen became a pending free agent when the Baltimore Ravens didn’t exercise the fifth-year option on his contract as their first-round pick in 2020. Baltimore traded for linebacker Roquan Smith in 2022 and extended him for $20 million per year. Then, the Ravens drafted Trenton Simpson in the third round of the 2023 draft as a potential starter at inside linebacker, so Queen’s fate was sealed,” Jeff Diamond of the 33rd Team wrote.

“He’s staying in the AFC North with the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and will have an opportunity to face his former team at least twice each season. Queen responded to his team’s contract snub by having his best season with a career-high 133 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the league’s top scoring defense. He was named to the second-team All-Pro and was selected to his first Pro Bowl.

“Queen was considered one of the top inside linebackers available in free agency, and the $13.66 million per year deal is a relative bargain for the Steelers. The three-year term gives Queen, 24, a chance to hit the open market again in 2027 when he’s still in his prime.”

Grading some of the biggest moves of the day 🔠

Patrick Queen to Pittsburgh gets top marks 🅰️ pic.twitter.com/DZ2ZyU1J3C

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 13, 2024

🏈 With the Steelers trading Diontae Johnson to Carolina, Fields Yates of ESPN thinks wide receiver is a top priority for Pittsburgh in the draft now. They’ll have plenty of options, too.

“At least as things stand now, the Steelers will likely consider wide receiver at pick 20. If they’re there:Brian Thomas, Jr., AD Mitchell and Xavier Worthy. Amongst the names in that range,” Yates wrote on X.

🏈 Dorin Dickerson of 93.7 The Fan thinks Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd will sign with the Steelers in free agency. Boyd is from Clairton and played his college ball at Pitt.

“Tyler Boyd wants to be a number 2 WR. Here you go. Willing to bet Steelers sign him,” Dickerson wrote on X.

🏈 According to Next Gen Stats, Patrick Queen led all linebackers with 20 quick pressures last season despite blitzing at just the 23rd-highest rate among LB (min. 500 snaps). Queen also generated a 25.5% pressure rate in 2023, sixth-highest among linebackers (min. 50 pass rushes).

🏈 Pat McAfee loved the Patrick Queen signing. “In Pittsburgh if you’re willing to punch somebody in the face for the Steelers and you’re good at it. Pittsburgh loves you. What a perfect signing seemingly for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” McAfee said.

🎥 Colin Cowherd of FS1 thinks Russell Wilson is a fit in the Steel City. “He isn’t a savior here. He will be an elevated piece.”

.@ColinCowherd says why Russell Wilson is a fit in Pittsburgh:

"He isn't a savior here. He will be an elevated piece." pic.twitter.com/pjNwC8nStR

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) March 11, 2024

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