04 June 2024 , 05:00
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Patrick Queen's switch from the Baltimore Ravens to their fierce rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, has certainly stirred the pot. After a four-year stint with the Ravens, Queen didn't hold back in his criticism of his former team and even the city itself.
Drafted 28th overall by Baltimore in 2020, Queen had a solid run but chose to jump ship to what he sees as a Super Bowl-worthy team, signing a juicy three-year, $41 million deal with the Steelers. Despite offers from a reported 15 other teams, some dangling contracts worth up to $17 million annually, Queen was lured by the vibe in Pittsburgh.
During a recent press huddle, he praised everything with Pittsburgh from the cooler atmosphere to the superior food spots. "It's a better atmosphere here for me. Everybody is cool, the people are cool, the players are cool, the food spots are better," Queen shared, expressing his preference for general cuisine over seafood. "I'm more of a true food guy rather than a seafood guy. It's just a better atmosphere for me here."
This bold move and candid comments have ignited a fiery debate online, drawing sharp reactions from both Ravens fans and Steelers supporters, with social media buzzing and comments pouring in by the hundreds.
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An NFL fan expressed disappointment, subtly stating: "He's trying to convince himself that he's happy. That's sad, nobody in the history of the United States says 'Pittsburgh is where you go to get great food if you're a food person.'" However, dedicated Steelers fans didn't let this pass, firmly defending their city's gastronomic excellence.
A dubious Ravens supporter brushed off Queen's newfound confidence, observing, "He's just yappin' now. He's just trying to get the fan base riled up with this fake villain act."
Meanwhile, hardcore Steelers followers appreciated Queen's candidness, with one enthusiast noting, "Love his honesty which isn't a slight on the team in purple, that can't beat the Steelers." Another expressed anticipation for the upcoming season, declaring, "Happy for him. Can't wait for the season to start."
Patrick Queen addresses the media (YouTube)Queen's choice to seek greener pastures induced head-scratching across many NFL observers. Just last season, the Ravens took home the division crown with an impressive 13-4 record, securing their spot in the AFC Championship Game.
Conversely, the Steelers stumbled, finishing second in their division with a 10-7 record before making a premature Wild Card round exit against the Buffalo Bills.
The newly signed linebacker shared his reasons for joining the team, stating, "It is everything that you want. You have a great head coach, a defense that can ball and puts you into a situation to succeed. I am at a point where I want to win. I know Pittsburgh hasn't won anything in a while, but they were in the playoffs, so they have a chance," he added. "To me, the team got better at every position. It's just now at the point where we have to go do it."