The Baltimore Ravens decided to decline LB Patrick Queen’s fifth-year option in a somewhat controversial move to some fans.
It helped them sign Roquan Smith to a massive contract extension.
Then, they drafted Trenton Smith to raise even more speculation about Queen’s future, even though GM Eric DeCosta has been vocal in his support for Queen.
However, as bleak as his future with the organization seems, Queen believes that the decision to decline his fifth-year player option was actually a bit of a blessing in disguise:
“It’s a blessing in disguise, really,” Queen said, via NFL.com. “You see guys go both sides of it and get paid either way. At the end of the day, I’m just focused on being the best teammate I can be, being the best player that I can be and just going out there and proving myself. Going out there and playing the game that I love to play at a high level.”
Patrick Queen sees Ravens declining fifth-year option as "blessing in disguise"https://t.co/5vmV49mN02 pic.twitter.com/Y3fzw3v8Yh
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 2, 2023
The Ravens have built their roster around Lamar Jackson and Roquan Smith, committing most of their money to them, so that makes it tough for them to spend big bucks to keep Queen as well.
They didn’t want to pay $12.4 million for his fifth-year option, so he would either have to play his heart out to get another deal, or agree to take a bit of a pay cut to stay with the Ravens.
Queen knows it’s all a part of the business and that he has to keep his head down and work to get a big payday in free agency, whether it’s in Baltimore or somewhere else.
He did look very good next to Smith at the end of last season, so there’s always a chance they work things and find a way to make the numbers work to keep him around.
There will be no more room for error in DeCosta’s regime after a drama-filled offseason, and it’s Super Bowl or bust for the Ravens in 2023.
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