Q. What was it that attracted you to the Steelers and why here?
PATRICK QUEEN: That man standing right there. I think just the organization itself is known for winning, great defense, and a bunch of stars over here. Just wanted to come be a part of that and be that extra piece to try to win again.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
PATRICK QUEEN: Definitely. It's going to be weird, but I want to be that villain, that guy, so I'm looking to do some stuff to them.
Q. Could you have ever envisioned when you were drafted by the Ravens that you would end up a Steeler? I know Mike T had told you you weren't a Raven yet until you beat the Steelers. (Regarding being a Steeler the whole time.)
PATRICK QUEEN: I think that was a hint. Even though I wanted to come fight him then and there, that was a hint at the time. Deep down you get a feeling being hunch or something.
But I just at the time though, you never think about switching to the biggest rival in your division. I think just now being here is going to be the same way now. So I'm just ready to get to work, get to the guys, and this organization, this team, the city, and just do everything I can to help win.
Q. What about the defense and the system they've used to makes you feel like it's a good fit?
PATRICK QUEEN: It's not that much stuff that they do. It's basically us going out there playing fast, physical, confident, everybody on the same page. When you got a defense on that kind of page there, tend to let the bullets fly the whole game. For 60 minutes that is lethal to the offense. That's what I can't wait to be a part of.
Q. (Audio cutting out.) You feel that that stuff will be transferable?
PATRICK QUEEN: (Audio cutting out.) For a reason, so...
Q. You said you didn't mind being the villain. Personality-wise where do you think your game is?
PATRICK QUEEN: I think you turn on the film and you see how I'm snarky, always in somebody face. I'm willing to go lay they head down, be physical, fast, fierce.
Just being aware of what's going on in the game situations, plays that we need to look for.
Q. When we asked why you're here, you pointed to Coach Tomlin. How did your relationship evolve?
PATRICK QUEEN: Can't hold no grudge. No, everything you hear about him, he's a great person, great coach. Everybody loves him. Never heard one bad thing about him. Kind of changed the perspective on people from me getting chewed out on sideline by him to actually getting to talk to him now.
I definitely think this is the place to be.
Q. How much relations did you have during the pre-draft process the year you were drafted wit the Steelers?
PATRICK QUEEN: Not that much. It was a COVID year. Wasn't that much that we could do. So I think it was a few teams here and there that I got to talk to. I don't think Pittsburgh was one. I don't think we talked that much.
Q. What was your impressions of this defense that you're coming into with established guys like Cam, TJ, Minkah already here?
PATRICK QUEEN: Yeah, those guys are established. Like I said, they're greats. Just for me coming here, being that extra piece like I said, coming in and playing my game and do what I do and trying to help them to help us win.
Whatever I need to do to help those guys line up, whatever it is, be aware of a situation, call, play, whatever it is, that's my job to come in here and help those guys.
Q. Did you have a relationship with anybody on this defense or on the team before you got here?
PATRICK QUEEN: No. On the team, Najee a little bit. That's probably really it, just from SEC ball and stuff. That's why I said I can't wait to get to work with the guys because we got a lot of stuff to catch up on.
Q. Any blow back from your old team?
PATRICK QUEEN: A little bit. For the most part, really just the fans, which I wouldn't expect anything less. As far as players, it's all been good, joking vibes. Everybody is happy and excited for me and the rivalry.
So being able to go across the field and stare each other down and play each other is gonna be fun. Like I said it's really the fans. Everybody I talked to, coaches, organization, they were all happy for me.
Q. You played with DeShon for a couple years. Can y9ou tell us a little bit about his game.
PATRICK QUEEN: Yeah, he's another dog, another guy that's fierce. Just love to go down and hit people. He'll cover as well. When you got a guy like that that can do both, your defense can do more.
Just having him, played with him for a few years, and just knowing him, he's a guy that has his teammates' back, and that's the type of guy I want to play alongside.
Q. As much as you want to contribute, do you see eventually see yourself growing into a leader on this defense given your position?
PATRICK QUEEN: Yeah, I think that should be day one. No time to waste. I got to be that guy when I step in. That's why I came here, just to be that guy.
So I think it's just going to be a natural fit. I don't think I have to force anything, step out of my comfort zone, or anything else besides what I am now.
I think that's just going to naturally flow.
Q. Obviously been on the other side of this, but what excites you the most getting to play in front of these fans and Steeler Nation?
PATRICK QUEEN: Yeah, the fans. Coming in here they were rowdy, so I got a few words that I don't like to say. You know, just the good side of that, being able to play for them, put on for the city, put on for them, it's something that you can't beat.
You grow up watching this team and how fierce they were, how they played the game, how the fans loved them, so I can't wait to be a part of that.
Q. When you said villain, did you have any other previous villains from this rivalry in mind?
PATRICK QUEEN: No, I don't, but I'm going to be that guy. I hate that I got to be that way, but it is what it is. You know, I'm where I want to be, where I'm happy a little right now. I'm where I am wanted.
Like I said, I can't wait to get started.
Q. Have you been a villain at any other point in your career?
PATRICK QUEEN: No, never. Never. First time.
Q. Did the Steelers bringing in Russell Wilson impact your decision at all?
PATRICK QUEEN: Definitely does. When you got a guy like that who is known to win, and you know he probably got a chip on his shoulder right now, you know, my job is to come in and help get the ball back to him, back to the offense, let them do their thing.
I think Russ, if Russ plays like Russ, this team is scary.
Q. You probably would've been in high school I guess at that point. Do you remember Ryan Shazier at all?
PATRICK QUEEN: Yeah, definitely do. I remember him. Super, super fast, will come down and hit some. So I definitely do remember him. You know, I remember watching live when that stuff happened. It sucked. I'm glad he's better now. My job is to come fill those shoes.
Q. Did you have a chance to meet Russ this morning? What are your impressions of just getting to interact with him?
PATRICK QUEEN: Yeah, met him this morning. Just a great guy. Cool dude. He's Russ. He's the guy you expect. Came in, talked a little bit. Talked about what we need to do to lead this team where we want to go to.
I got all the faith in the world in him.
Q. Saw you on social media clap back at somebody, radio person. Is that something to you personally, that without Roquan you can be the guy?
PATRICK QUEEN: Yeah, I think that whole situation definitely helped, like definitely learned a lot from him. At the same time, I got to go on the field and perform and I got to play, tackle, do these things, catch the ball.
So when it comes to he made me, I think I was already on my path that I'm on right now. Just took a little time and I started hitting that stride beginning of the third year. Once he got here, helped even more. Now is my time to go out there and lead and bring somebody else up.
Q. You spent your time in Baltimore and now here. Is over your years of playing, did you build up an animosity, but a real rival with somebody on this roster now that now you'll be sharing a locker room with?
PATRICK QUEEN: Yeah, (laughter.) Mr. Warren. Mr. Warren, yeah. Yeah, yeah, that guy. He's a hell of a running back. Strong catch. Short to the ground. Low center of gravity. I definitely hated playing against him and personally hated him.
At the end of the day, it's all love. I do respect his game and him as a person. You know, I just can't wait to play with somebody that plays like that.
Q. Are you looking forward to a backs on backers drill up at St. Vincent going against him?
PATRICK QUEEN: I definitely am. You know, got to get it understood before I'm going to need his head up and not launching into my chest. (Laughter.)
No, it's going to be fun. We going to get each other better and I can't wait.
Q. You were on a team that came really close to winning a Super Bowl last year. How much that was a factor in terms of making a decision on your next step?
PATRICK QUEEN: Yeah, definitely plays a factor. Once you get a taste you want that taste again and you want more. Just being so close there hurt so much.
Obviously couldn't go back there and this was the perfect fit. I feel like this was my best shot at being able to win, knowing the history, the coach they got now, the type of guys on this team and the additions they're going to make as well.
Like I said this is a perfect fit for me and I can't wait.
Q. Do you have a number in mind yet?
PATRICK QUEEN: (Smiling.) It's kind of crazy, but they going to let me get single digit 6. I'm truly thankful they're going to let me do that. Like I said, probably like the 30th time saying this, but I can't wait.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports