The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41 million deal in 2024 free agency with the hope that he would anchor the middle of the defense. He has done that in terms of wearing the green dot, but the performances haven't exactly been consistent. That continued again on Thursday Night Football versus the Cleveland Browns. The tackling from the defense was far from ideal and Queen was a big contributor in that. He is set to be a free agent come the 2027 offseason, and there aren't many expecting him to return to the Steel City.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers insider linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and edge rusher TJ Watt (90) walk on the field as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Pittsburgh hasn't necessarily had the inside linebacker spot figured out since Ryan Shazier's devastating career-ending injury. It was exciting to take Queen from the Baltimore Ravens, but it hasn't worked out as well as anyone had hoped.
The Steelers need the middle of their defense to perform well if they are going to have success for the remainder of the 2026 campaign. Unfortunately, Queen caught the attention of a player who used to be a thumper in Pittsburgh. Vince Williams was not shy about calling Queen out for not playing as hard as he could against the Browns.
I’m a Queen fan but he’s making business decisions out there. He knows this is his last year with the Steelers and he’s playing safe.
— Vince Williams (@VinnyVidiVici98) October 2, 2026
For someone who doesn't have financial security past the current year in the NFL, a bad injury could lead to less money coming in later on. Williams seemed to be insinuating that Queen is making sure to be careful about his efforts. It's not like this was a random fan calling out the Steelers linebacker; it was coming from someone who bled for the Black and Gold.
Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first quarter at Heinz Field.
There are 18 weeks during the current NFL season's schedule. Queen still needs to prove himself moving forward if another franchise is going to pay him. Regardless, being called out for potentially cutting corners isn't a great look.
Steelers Need To Get The Very Best Out Of Queen
Pittsburgh didn't sign Queen to a new deal in the 2026 offseason. This hinted at the fact that the front office didn't really have interest in bringing him back following the end of his three-year deal. Comments like the ones from Williams have to raise concern. The retired linebacker knows what it looks like when someone isn't giving it his all. Apparently, Queen had several of those moments on Thursday, which should definitely come off as a red flag.
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