The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to get to 2-1 on the 2025 season with a win over the New England Patriots in Week 3. Pittsburgh was able to escape with a narrow 21-14 victory after leading the game early on by a score of 14-0. The defense was a major concern going into the contest, and the group still did not play great, but there were signs of progress based on what was seen from the unit throughout the first two games of the year. The collective is starting to find its groove as it was able to force five turnovers in the win over New England.
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Steelers' Patrick Queen chats with Ravens' Lamar Jackson after a playoff game at the end of the 2024 season.
One of the key pieces of Pittsburgh's defense is inside linebacker Patrick Queen. The organization signed Queen as a free agent during the 2024 offseason, and it was the biggest contract the franchise had ever given out in free agency.
He played decently in 2024, but he didn't quite live up to the All-Pro status that he had earned the season prior. Fans were expecting him to take a jump forward in 2025, and that hasn't necessarily happened. His play has improved, but there are still areas to get better in. Queen took to social media after the win to make that point clear.
I gave up 2 catches in man 2 man gotta get those back😑
— 🦈 (@Patrickqueen_) September 21, 2025
Queen led Pittsburgh in total tackles during the win over the Patriots on Sunday, as he recorded 10 as well as a tackle for loss with two pass breakups. However, there were clear scenarios where he was responsible for passes being completed. The inside linebacker seemed to be mad at himself for those situations, and it is an area he will look to improve in the near future.
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) participates and stretches in the Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Tuesday May 27, 2025 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
The inside linebacker played well in the win over New England, but he wears the green dot and is considered the quarterback of the defensive unit. He expects better from himself, and so does a fan base that saw him sign a lucrative deal during the 2024 offseason.
People in Pittsburgh want to see him return to the player he was while he was with the Baltimore Ravens, and Sunday was a step in the right direction. That is especially true if he is able to clean up the plays he posted about regarding his pass coverage.
The linebacker play in Pittsburgh has been questionable throughout the start of the 2025 season. Not all of that falls on Queen, but he is the leader of the group so he bears a lot of responsibility for the unit. That side of the ball was unable to stop the run during Pittsburgh's first two games of the season, and that falls partly on the linebackers. Queen set the standard for play when defending the run during the win on Sunday, and hopefully that continues.
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Steelers middle linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Must Figure Out Their Inside Linebacker Situation
The Steelers have a solid starting inside linebacker in Queen, but the other inside line backer spot has been up for grabs. Payton Wilson began the year as the other starter, but he is known for being best in coverage. He is not the greatest when it comes to defending the run, which was evident throughout the first two games of the year.
Pittsburgh made some changes as they mixed Cole Holcomb into the game on early downs, and that might be a change that sticks. Either way, the Steelers need a consistent solution at that spot, and the organization knows that as it signed linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley within the last week. Hopefully the linebacker core continues to improve, as the defense will need it if that side of the ball is going to continue to get better.
What do you think of Queen's post? Let us know in the comments below!
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