Patrick Queen will change places in one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries. The former Baltimore Ravens linebacker signed a three-year, $41 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday.
Lamar Jackson responded to the news by mocking a former NFL player’s reaction to Saquon Barkley joining a rival. The MVP quarterback echoed Tiki Barber’s comments after the star running back jumped ship from the New York Giants to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jackson made sure everyone realized he was joking by accompanying the post with a picture of SpongeBob SquarePants slyly smirking.
“You’re Dead to us, Queen,” Jackson wrote. “Good luck, You’re Dead to me.”
@Patrickqueen_ You’re Dead to us, Queen. Good luck, You’re Dead to me. https://t.co/JHb1KFX2qS pic.twitter.com/pP7hKT9MO1
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 12, 2024
Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard also engaged in some playful trash talk by wondering if he’s more excited about blocking for new signee Derrick Henry or getting the opportunity to pancake Queen two times a season. Queen encouraged his former teammate to “get ya hands on me big boy.”
Queen wasn’t the first Ravens defender to join an AFC North foe. Geno Stone, who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, hoped the latest signing took him off the hook.
“Maybe the heat will be off me for the day,” Stone said. “Congrats tho my Brudda!!”
Including the postseason, Queen played all 72 games since the Ravens drafted him with the No. 28 pick in 2020. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod after collecting 133 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, and a fumble recovery last season.
The 24-year-old joins T.J. Watt on a Steelers defense that allowed the sixth-fewest points last season despite ranking 21st in total defense.
While they’re not rivals during the season, Queen and Stone likely aren’t actually dead to Jackson.