Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen is taking his contract year in stride

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Patrick Queen is heading into a contract year without a lot of drama, and so far he’s doing what he can to keep it that way.

“I’m just looking to play ball,” the Baltimore linebacker said this week. “At the end of the day, I get to go out here and play football (and) make my mark at what I want it to be. I’m not stressing anything.”

The Ravens, of course, are no stranger to uncertain contract situations, having finally signed quarterback Lamar Jackson to a new long-term deal this offseason. Queen isn’t quite the star Jackson is, but he is coming off a fine season in which he and Roquan Smith formed an impressive pairing in the middle of the defense.

Baltimore acquired Smith in a trade in the middle of last season, and Queen immediately said he welcomed the move and the opportunity to play alongside another standout inside linebacker. It showed in his play. Queen finished the season with career highs in tackles, sacks, quarterback hurries and interceptions.

Queen, Smith and Bobby Wagner are the only three players with at least 300 tackles, three interceptions and 10 sacks since entering the league in 2020. Queen is also one of three Ravens to post multiple seasons with at least 100 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The others are Hall of Famer Ray Lewis and C.J. Mosley.

“I definitely haven’t even gotten close to the player I can be,” Queen said. “Everybody around here knows it. I think people around the league know it. That’s why I’m out here just trying to get better, trying to compete (and) trying to just master my craft.”

Smith, an All-Pro last season, signed a five-year extension with the Ravens — and the salary cap makes it difficult to keep everyone. Queen and running back J.K. Dobbins, both drafted in 2020, face uncertain futures in Baltimore. Dobbins is on the physically-unable-to-perform list, and coach John Harbaugh said when camp started that there was some “complexity” to his absence.

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