Patrick Queen Bio
Patrick Queen is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 13, 1999, he rose to prominence as a standout defender for the LSU Tigers before being selected 28th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020 NFL draft. After four seasons in Baltimore, Queen joined Pittsburgh in 2024 and quickly became a central figure in the Steelers defense.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 230 pounds, Queen combines sideline-to-sideline speed with strong instincts in run support and pass coverage. His rapid ascent from a lightly-recruited high school prospect to a Pro Bowl linebacker has established him as one of the most respected young defenders in the league.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Queen was born on August 13, 1999, in Ventress, Louisiana, to Dwayne Queen and Mary Sue Queen. He grew up as the youngest of four children and the only son in the family. Ventress, a small community in Pointe Coupee Parish, helped shape his early love for football, where the sport is deeply woven into local culture.
Queen attended False River Academy for middle school before enrolling at Livonia High School, where he played both linebacker and running back. He was a member of Livonia’s 2014 state championship football team. As a senior in 2016, he rushed for 1,487 yards and 19 touchdowns on offense while recording 66 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and six passes broken up on defense. Despite earning a four-star prospect rating, Queen received limited attention from major college programs during his recruitment.
His early scholarship offers came from smaller programs such as Tulane, Louisiana, Louisiana-Monroe, Colorado State, McNeese State, Louisiana Tech, and South Florida. He later received offers from Nebraska, Indiana, and his preferred destination, LSU, where he committed on February 28, 2016, without taking additional visits. Queen became the first player from Livonia to receive a scholarship from LSU.
Path to Professional Football
Queen’s path to elite-level football was unconventional, as major recruiting outlets projected him at different positions. 247Sports listed him as a versatile athlete, Rivals viewed him as an outside linebacker, and ESPN ranked him as a running back. That positional uncertainty partly explained why Power Five programs, particularly SEC schools, were slow to offer him a scholarship.
Once he arrived at LSU, Queen worked steadily to carve out a role in the Tigers’ defense. As a true freshman, he made six tackles across 12 games played. He broke out during his sophomore season with 40 tackles, five tackles for loss, and a sack, showing the range that would later define his professional career.
Queen’s junior season cemented his status as an NFL prospect. He entered the year on the Butkus Award watchlist and finished the regular season with 69 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass deflections, two breakups, an interception, and a fumble recovery. He was named the Defensive MVP of the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship Game after recording eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a combined sack against Clemson. Following LSU’s national title, Queen declared for the 2020 NFL draft.
Patrick Queen Career
Early Career with the Baltimore Ravens (2020-2021)
The Baltimore Ravens selected Patrick Queen with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, making him the first LSU player the Ravens had ever drafted. He made an immediate impact in his professional debut, recording a team-high eight tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in a 38-6 win over the Cleveland Browns. In Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Queen posted nine tackles, a strip sack on former LSU teammate Joe Burrow that he also recovered, and a 53-yard fumble return for a touchdown, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
He finished his rookie season starting all 16 games, totaling 106 tackles, one interception, two passes defended, and two forced fumbles, and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. In 2021, Queen switched from jersey number 48 to number 6 following the NFL’s relaxation of jersey number rules and started all 17 games, finishing with two sacks, 98 tackles, one pass defended, and one forced fumble.
Establishing Himself in Baltimore (2022-2023)
Queen’s third NFL season marked a clear step forward. He started all 17 games in 2022, recording five sacks, 117 tackles, two interceptions, six passes defended, and one forced fumble. His versatility and steady production made him a foundational piece of the Ravens’ defensive front.
The 2023 season represented the peak of his Baltimore tenure. Although the Ravens declined his fifth-year option before the season, Queen responded with a career-high 133 tackles and tied his career high in pass breakups. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and earned Second-team All-Pro recognition, validating his standing among the league’s top linebackers.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024-Present)
On March 15, 2024, Patrick Queen signed a three-year, $41 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His arrival signaled a major defensive upgrade and gave Pittsburgh a young, proven leader at the heart of its defense.
After a slow start to the 2024 season, Queen broke out during the Steelers’ 32-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, recording 13 tackles and contributing 0.5 stuffs. In Week 11, he faced his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, for the first time since signing in Pittsburgh, posting 10 tackles, a stuff, and a forced fumble on tight end Isaiah Likely that he recovered to set up a field goal. He continued to produce against division rival Cleveland, leading the team with seven tackles in a 24-19 loss.
During Pittsburgh’s Week 4 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Queen recorded his first sack of the season on quarterback Carson Wentz. He was also named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, reinforcing his reputation as one of the AFC’s most consistent linebackers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Queen is known for his sideline-to-sideline range, sharp diagnostic skills, and aggressive play at the point of attack. He excels against the run, shows fluid coverage ability in space, and thrives when triggered as a blitzer. His combination of speed, instincts, and finishing ability allows him to impact games on every down.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Queen’s 53-yard fumble return touchdown against the Bengals in his rookie season stands out as an early career highlight. His first career interception came in a 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. Reaching the Pro Bowl in both 2023 and 2024 cemented his arrival among the league’s elite linebackers.
Patrick Queen Career Wins
Across his professional career, Patrick Queen has been a consistent winner in both team and individual terms. He helped LSU capture the College Football Playoff National Championship in the 2019 season and earned the game’s Defensive MVP honor. In the NFL, he has contributed to multiple playoff-caliber seasons with both the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFL Highlights
Queen’s standout individual seasons came in 2022 and 2023, when he posted 117 and 133 tackles respectively while adding sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles. His first Pro Bowl selection came in 2023, followed by a second consecutive Pro Bowl nod in 2024 with the Steelers.
Other Wins and Performances
Queen’s resume includes All-Rookie Team honors in 2020, Second-team All-Pro recognition in 2023, and two Pro Bowl selections in 2023 and 2024. He was a key piece of LSU’s undefeated national championship run and remains a central figure in Pittsburgh’s defensive plans.
Patrick Queen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Patrick Queen was raised by his father, Dwayne Queen, and his mother, Mary Sue Queen, in the small Louisiana community of Ventress. He grew up as the youngest of four children and the only son, with strong family ties that helped shape his disciplined approach to the game.
Personal Life
Queen has kept his personal life largely private, focusing public attention on his football career and his commitment to his team. His move from Baltimore to Pittsburgh in 2024 marked a major life transition as he signed a three-year contract worth $41 million, signaling his long-term commitment to the Steelers through 2027.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Patrick Queen enters his second year with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a central figure in the team’s defensive scheme. After earning his second straight Pro Bowl nod in 2024, expectations are high for Queen to maintain his high level of production and veteran leadership.
The Steelers defense is expected to lean heavily on Queen’s range and instincts, particularly against AFC North rivals Baltimore and Cleveland. His familiarity with the system after a full season in Pittsburgh should help streamline communication with teammates and coordinators.
With his contract running through 2027, Queen has both the security and the motivation to anchor Pittsburgh’s defense for years to come. A strong 2025 campaign would further establish him among the league’s premier linebackers and reinforce the Steelers’ long-term investment in his talent.