"His Play Is Too Inconsistent": Steelers Star Hasn't Lived Up To The Hype Since Signing In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a very recognizable defense that is full of star-studded names, but the group has underperformed over the last few seasons. Fans have been thoroughly disappointed with some of the defensive performances that have come out of Pittsburgh, and it has arguably been one of the more frustrating occurrences over the last several years of mediocrity from the franchise. Hopefully the defense can turn things around in 2026 under a new defensive coordinator, but it is also going to take certain players stepping up and playing to their ability. The systems may have been questionable in recent years, but the execution was not there either.

One player that the organization would have liked to see perform a little bit better over the last few seasons is inside linebacker Patrick Queen. The Steelers signed him to a three-year deal in free agency during the 2024 offseason, and he is currently entering the final year of that contract with no signs of an extension in the future. It seems like everyone involved is accepting that this is his final season in Pittsburgh, and that has a lot to do with his inconsistent play since arriving.

ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler recently polled various scouts, executives, and coaches around the league to compile a list of the top 10 inside linebackers in the game. Queen was not ranked, but he did get mentioned as an honorable mention. An anonymous AFC personnel evaluator mentioned his inconsistency.

"He is very good when he turns it on and uses his speed and strength," the evaluator said. "His play is too inconsistent for my taste."

This has seemingly been the consensus regarding Queen over the last two seasons. There has been some games where he looks like he did during his final season with the Baltimore Ravens back in 2023 when he made the Pro Bowl and was an All-Pro. Pittsburgh was hoping to get that version of Queen throughout the duration of his contract, but that has not quite happened.

Queen has shown flashes while wearing the black and gold, but he has also had some underwhelming performances. Fans in Pittsburgh would love to see Queen crack the top 10 of this list, but it is hard to disagree with everything that was said by the personnel evaluator.

The veteran inside linebacker has seemed to show no interest in coming back to Pittsburgh for another season after 2026 himself. However, that could change if he shows improvement under this new coaching staff and if he begins to like the way new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is running the show. 

Queen does not have to return to his All-Pro form from the 2023 season, but it would be nice to see him play somewhere near that level to make the three-year, $41 million contract he signed feel worth it.

Steelers Could Have Patrick Queen Return Following The 2026 Season

Queen does not have one of the contracts that seem to be a current priority for the franchise to get extended, and most fans know that the organization does not conduct contractual business once the regular season begins. Therefore, the only real way for Queen to play another season with the Steelers after 2026 is if the two sides can come to an agreement on a new deal ahead of free agency during the 2027 offseason.

Pittsburgh would only be interested in doing this if Queen shows a decent amount of improvement this year, but if that does indeed happen, the linebacker would probably want to test out his value on the open market. All signs point to the Steelers moving forward with Payton Wilson while probably drafting another inside linebacker in 2027. It is also worth noting that Queen was a favorite of Mike Tomlin, so that changes things as well.

What do you think about these comments regarding Queen? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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