The Houston Texans are gearing up for the upcoming NFL free agency period, and early reports suggest a strong interest in securing the services of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen. While the Texans’ concrete plans will unfold in the coming days, ESPN’s D.J. Bien-Aime has disclosed a mutual interest between the team and the Pro Bowl linebacker.
Patrick Queen, a former first-round pick in 2020 (No. 26 overall), has emerged as a formidable force on the field, particularly during his fourth NFL season. The linebacker’s accomplishments include a Pro Bowl selection in 2023 and being recognized as a second-team All-Pro player. Queen showcased his prowess in the previous season, contributing significantly to the Ravens’ top-ranked defense led by coordinator Mike Macdonald. His impressive stats for the season include 3.5 sacks, 113 combined tackles, nine tackles for a loss, six defended passes, and six quarterback hits.
Notably, Queen’s performance over the past two seasons has solidified his standing among off-ball linebackers, with 48 quarterback pressures and eight sacks since 2022 – figures that rank him second in the league for his position. This potential acquisition aligns with the vision of Texans’ head coach DeMeco Ryans, who may see Queen as the missing piece for the linebacker position.
However, pursuing Patrick Queen comes with its considerations, as it could impact the possibility of a reunion with linebacker Blake Cashman. Both players occupy the same position, and Queen’s acquisition would likely require a more substantial financial investment due to his market value of approximately $18.5 million per year, as per Spotrac. This places him just below San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner, who notably excelled under Ryans’ coaching.
Despite having a significant budget for the offseason, the Texans must navigate free agency strategically, considering factors such as quarterback C.J. Stroud’s rookie contract, a potential contract extension for wide receiver Nico Collins, and the desire to retain internal free agents like defensive end Jonathan Greenard and running back Devin Singletary. As the official start of free agency approaches on March 13, unofficial communications between agents and teams are set to begin on March 11, adding anticipation to the Texans’ pursuit of Patrick Queen and their overall offseason strategy.
Be the first to comment