The Pittsburgh Steelers must address the linebacker position again in the 2024 offseason. After Omar Khan appeared to nail it by signing Kwon Alexander, Cole Holcomb, and Elandon Roberts, two massive injuries to Holcomb and Alexander left all of those in question.
Pittsburgh, this time, could try to get younger and add someone from the NFL Draft. But there is always the chance they decide to go back into free agency. However, on the Arthur Moats Show, Moats and former Steelers linebacker Terrence Garvin discussed some names that could make sense. When Moats asked about Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen, Garvin answered with a reluctant yes but believes it could fix the linebacker woes.
“Yeah, I’d pay for Patrick Queen. I like Patrick Queen,” Garvin said. “…Consider the value of the position though. It’s like a defensive running back. They don’t value it like that unless it’s special and this fall in that category.”
While Garvin has a point about the linebacker position being viewed as less valuable, it should be noted that elite duos are scattered throughout the top of the NFL. From Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw to Queen and Roquan Smith, the position is valuable when played at a high level. Queen has become a Pro Bowl-level linebacker, but it would cost a pretty penny to bring to the Steelers.
But it’s hard to deny what Queen has done as a player. He buzzes all over the field, has become one of the better coverage linebackers in football, and has aided Mike Macdonald’s defense as a weapon that can do many different things. He and Smith create one of the NFL’s scariest linebacker duos.
But for the Steelers, it’s about determining who is healthy and the long-term plan. How much do they believe in Mark Robinson? Holcomb and Roberts feel like the 2024 starters, but could Alexander return? Is there another name for cheaper that you can spend and avoid paying Queen instead of going for a safety or cornerback? All of that has to come under the microscope before deciding this, and it certainly seems like Pittsburgh would be better off going the cheaper route.