The Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash a few years ago when they signed Patrick Queen. Not only was he one of the most notable free agents on the market, but he was also coming over from the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers’ biggest rival. Queen was coming off a great 2023 season, being named an All-Pro for the first time. Unfortunately, he hasn’t hit that level in his two seasons with the Steelers, but Joe Haden believes that will change this year.
“With the defensive linemen and people being on their job and not letting the offensive linemen get to Queen, I think he’s gonna have a way better year,” Haden said Monday on his Deebo and Joe podcast. “When I go back and look at it, he’s shooting his gaps, he’s not afraid. He’s running, he’s hitting, he’s gonna do what he has to do.
“But I think, some of the times, when you get a free lineman up on you that doesn’t have to go block, literally on you with an angle, that’s tough sometimes. We get these d-linemen that can really just hold your ground. It’s not for you to make the play every time. Stop trying to go under people. You staying right here, that’s gonna make Queen be free so he can be way more active.”
Queen hasn’t been the Steelers’ biggest defensive issue. He didn’t walk into a great situation with them in 2024, with their run defense taking a sharp decline. While Queen isn’t an elite run defender, the Steelers’ defensive line didn’t help. Cam Heyward was still dominant, but the rest of that unit had issues.
As a result, the Steelers added to that group last offseason, drafting Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black. Both of them contributed as rookies, and Harmon in particular was a big difference maker in the run game. However, he was a rookie, so he wasn’t perfect. Also, he missed five games due to injuries, which didn’t help his development.
Still, Harmon is expected to be an even bigger part of the Steelers’ defense in 2026. The Steelers also signed Sebastian Joseph-Day, a veteran defensive lineman who’s been a quality run stopper.
Therefore, Haden’s prediction could come true. Queen hasn’t been bad in Pittsburgh, but he also hasn’t lived up to his price tag. The Steelers boosting the talent along their defensive line should, at the very least, remove an excuse if Queen has a disappointing 2026 season.
It would be a good time for him to play up to his potential, too. Queen only has one year left on his contract, and it doesn’t seem like his future with the Steelers is secure. He entered this offseason looking like a cut candidate, and while he seems to have escaped that fate, there were still trade rumors involving him.
The Steelers have a new head coach and defensive coordinator, and they aren’t as tied to Queen as the previous regime. He’s still a young player, turning 27 before the season starts. Queen has a lot of desirable traits. If he can put it all together, he could help the Steelers’ defense become one of the league’s best units again.
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