Steelers' Patrick Queen Made A Very Risky Move That Could Have Affected The Game In Win Over Vikings

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off of a very impressive win over the Minnesota Vikings which took place in Dublin, Ireland. It was the team's most complete game of the 2025 season thus far as the defense and offense had good days on the field. Things got a little too close for comfort at the end of the matchup, but Pittsburgh was still able to fly back home victorious. Fans were able to take a deep breath after the game as the defense finally looked like an above-average unit, and a big reason for that was the pass rush.

Pittsburgh's defense was troubling throughout the first several games of the season, but the group showed up on Sunday against the Vikings. The Steelers were able to get to the quarterback consistently as the group sacked Carson Wentz a total of six times for a total loss of nearly 50 yards. Five different players recorded a sack for Pittsburgh, including inside linebacker Patrick Queen. Queen has been playing well at the start of the 2025 season as he seems to be back to his All-Pro level of play. When speaking with the media after the game, the linebacker stated that he gambled on his sack, as he was not even supposed to blitz.

"Yeah the blitz, not blitz," Queen said. "I took a chance. I gambled, I gambled."

Queen's sack came in the first quarter on Minnesota's first drive of the game, and it was a relatively big one as the Vikings had the ball near the red zone. The play came on a third and nine. Minnesota lost nine yards on the play and was forced to kick the field goal. That opening drive ending in a field goal rather than a touchdown was huge in the grand scheme of things.

Queen was signed as a free agent during the 2024 offseason, and he inked the largest free agent deal in the history of the organization. His season in 2024 was adequate, but he didn't quite live up to his label of being an All-Pro, which is what he was with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2023 season. He has gotten off to a better start in 2025, and he could be trending towards a season where he receives some big accolades.

The inside linebacker was supposed to be in coverage on that play as he was manned up with running back Jordan Mason. However, Mason delayed his route to the flat as he chipped TJ Watt. This allowed Queen to see a gap in the offensive line, and he had a free shot at the quarterback as long as he could get there in time. This is a gamble as him leaving his responsibility to chase down Wentz left Mason wide open, and he could have easily gotten the first down or scored on the play had Wentz seen him in time. 

Steelers' Inside Linebackers Have Been Stepping Up

At the start of the 2025 season, the defense for Pittsburgh was extremely concerning. The group was getting run all over, which in turn opened up the passing game for opposing offenses. Queen and his running mate Payton Wilson caught a lot of the blame for that, but they have seemed to bounce back after an impressive performance against Minnesota. Wilson made headlines as he made a miraculous tackle at the end of the game after chasing Jordan Addison for 60 yards which ultimately saved the win for the Steelers.

Hopefully the duo can continue to play at the level they were at in Ireland as it is hard to have a great defense without a great duo at inside linebacker.

What do you think about Queen taking a risk to get to the quarterback in Dublin? Let us know in the comments below!

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