The Pittsburgh Steelers allowed QB Caleb Williams to throw for 239 yards and three touchdowns in their 31-28 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, and LB Patrick Queen believes that schematic issues contributed to some of the team’s issues.
“I think sometimes it was schematic issues that we had. It’s kind of hard for two guys that are underneath defenders to try and guard two routes, that’s overhanging off the hashes and stuff. As much as you try to get to a bang or whatever it is, it’s hard to do that, it’s kind of a bad spot to be in. But at the end of the day, we just gotta to be better,” Queen said via video by Post-Gazette Sports on YouTube.
Queen said it’s something that the Steelers could’ve adjusted in-game.
When answering the question, which was about receivers being left open, Queen seemed to almost be holding back a laugh and covered his face and sucked in his breath before actually answering the question. It seemed as if he was choosing his words carefully and he wanted to say more about the scheme than he actually did. It was a pretty clear sign that he isn’t happy with what’s being called defensively.
The Steelers seemed to play a lot of zone coverage, as they have in recent weeks, and Queen seems to think that the scheme is stressing too much on the linebackers when it comes to covering pass-catchers down the field. A lot of Williams’ success came throwing over the middle of the field and beyond the sticks, and sometimes it came with Malik Harrison in at linebacker. Harrison rotates in with Payton Wilson, but is more of a run-down defender. The Bears did a good job taking advantage and throwing with Harrison in the game.
It’s pretty telling for Queen to come out and blame some of the issues on schematics. It’s a direct shot toward the play-calling and what the Steelers are trying to do defensively. It’s not the first time the Steelers have had issues in coverage, as it’s been a recurring theme for a lot of the season, and the linebackers have been an issue when it comes to communication and doing their job in coverage when the defense struggles.
Clearly, Queen seems to think that the issue lie more within the scheme than the individual efforts and execution, and he very well may be right. He added that nothing the Bears did surprised the Steelers, and it’ll be interesting to see if the Steelers stick with what they’re currently doing or try and scheme things differently.
It’s really the first time this season that a player has come out and blamed the scheme for the Steelers’ struggles, and as the green dot linebacker, Queen is the one who’s communicating the plays. Plays that may seem like communication issues may just be a product of the Steelers not having the personnel to execute what’s called, and it’s gotten to a point where Queen felt the need to call out the scheme.
With the Buffalo Bills up next week, the Steelers are going up against another potent offense. If they continue to struggle, there may need to be a hard look at Teryl Austin, Mike Tomlin and the defensive coaching.
You can watch the full interview with Queen below.
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