Steelers LB Patrick Queen Sends Strong Message Amid Trade Rumors

In the 2024 offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold move and signed former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen. The previous LSU Tigers standout was coming off an All-Pro season in which he finally lived up to his first-round expectations in Baltimore. After a loss in the AFC Championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs, Queen decided to jump ship to the Ravens' biggest rival, shocking the entire football world (Steeler Nation included). Not only did he land with the Black and Gold, he signed the most expensive free agent contract in team history at that time. After two years, this move has been a polarizing one in the Steel City.

Queen's play has been very up and down in his two seasons as a Steeler. In 2024, he had a rough start, but got better as the season went on. In 2025, it was seemingly the opposite. He started off strong, then sizzled out as the games piled up. He hasn't been able to replicate his All-Pro form with his new team, so much so that trade rumors sparked this offseason about teams potentially trading for the former Raven. The Dallas Cowboys, in particular, made a push for Queen, but nothing became official. It looks like Queen will be a Steeler in 2026, playing in a contract year once again. 

Queen recently appeared on The Fehoko Show, hosted by former Steelers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko, where he discussed the new coaching staff. Queen, since joining the Steelers, has taken a lot of heat from fans. He gives Steeler Nation his truth, claiming there has been no pressure from the current coaching staff, making his seat in Pittsburgh seem fairly comfortable for the time being. 

"It's been smooth, you know, there hasn't been no pressure on me from the coaches talking to me and stuff," Queen said.

Since Queen signed in Pittsburgh, there were huge expectations placed on him. A former division rival, coming off an All-Pro season, fans were expecting Queen to keep that coming to the Steel City. Pressure built on him seemingly every game, as if he were under a microscope. The former coaching staff would put a lot of pressure on the linebackers with their schematics, but that doesn't seem to be the case going into 2026. 

With Patrick Graham as the new defensive coordinator, the Steelers' defense will look to return to form, particularly at middle linebacker. Graham has gotten exceptional play from lesser talented linebackers than Queen. Players like Robert Spillane and Devin White, the latter of whom was third in the NFL in total tackles, are just a few examples. If Queen is going to have a resurgence, Graham is the right coach to play under.

Steelers' Queen Is In A Make-Or-Break Year

While Queen is just 26 years old, he's had two lackluster seasons for the Steelers in the eyes of many. After giving him a very nice payday, it's highly unlikely the team re-signs Queen if he replicates his 2024 and 2025 seasons. He will need to return to his game-wrecking form, being that sideline-to-sideline heat-seeking missile. His defensive line should be much better in 2026 as well, with guys continuing to develop. The addition of Sebastian Joseph-Day should help as well, keeping Queen and the other linebackers free to make more plays.

The Steelers will keep the same 3-4 scheme they are notorious for. The Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks run the same scheme, but different coverages and packages. The Steelers need to evolve in that aspect. In 2024, it was tons of Cover 3, and in 2025, it was lots of man coverage. They have been incredibly predictable over the past few seasons, so under Graham, that must change. If not, the defense will continue to get picked apart, with the blame likely going to the inside linebackers first. 

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