The Pittsburgh Steelers dismantled the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at home. This was a huge game as the Steelers blew out the Browns after players in Cleveland were talking trash towards the Steelers throughout the last week. Both teams were also 5-2 coming into the matchup, and this game was going to give the winner sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Pittsburgh is now in first place in the division heading into the bye week, and the team is also carrying a ton of momentum as Pittsburgh prepares for the second half of the season, which is going to be a bit tougher.
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Steelers' Patrick Queen celebrates a big play during a win over the Cleveland Browns at home in the 2026 regular season.
A big reason for the win on Sunday over the Browns was the defensive performance, and the whole unit has looked great over the last month or so. The defensive line is playing great as opposing teams are having a hard time trying to run the football, and the secondary is doing a good enough job. The inside linebackers have been a pleasant surprise over the last few weeks. The play of Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson have usually been rocky and inconsistent, but those two are arguably playing some of the best football of their time with the organization. The two combined for 20 total tackles, a sack and a half, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup in the win over the Browns.
It is great to see Queen playing like his All-Pro self from the 2023 season, which is something Pittsburgh fans have been hoping for. He hasn't been great in Pittsburgh, but he is beginning to make up for it. He spoke to the media after the win on Sunday, and he was asked if he is happier than he has ever been in Pittsburgh.
"Yeah," Queen said. "I'm not stressed out as much. Payton is playing absolutely fantastic, which makes my job a whole lot easier. The whole group is playing with fire and passion. When you play on a defense like that, it's kind of hard not to be happy. It's kind of hard not to be able to just feed into that and play my best. Every single guy in that room is making it a possibility."
Queen is seemingly having more fun than ever during his time in Pittsburgh. He is in his third season with the Steelers after being signed during free agency back in the 2024 offseason, and the organization didn't want to work out an extension with him ahead of the 2026 season. It also seemed like Queen was fine with that as he may have been open to playing elsewhere, but now it seems like he is having fun and that could change his perspective.
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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive player Patrick Queen (6) reacts after making an interception during the second half of a Week 2 game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Queen initially signed a three-year deal in Pittsburgh, and he will be a free agent during the 2027 offseason. He may want to continue to play in Pittsburgh if the defense continues to do what it has been doing over the last several weeks. The group is having fun, and that may make Queen want to stick around. Fans should want him back in the black and gold as well with the way he has been performing.
Steelers' Patrick Queen Has Been A Menace In The Passing Game
The veteran inside linebacker has been supportive in the run game as he has notched double-digit tackles over the last two weeks, but he has been playing extremely well against the pass. He has two and a half sacks over the last two weeks, including a strip sack. He has been a menace while blitzing through the A-gap, and he has gotten his hands on a few passes. He only has one interception on the season, but there were certainly opportunities for more.
What do you think of Queen's play recently? Would you want him back in Pittsburgh? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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