The Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash a few years ago when they signed Patrick Queen. He had just spent four seasons with the rival Baltimore Ravens, and he was coming off his best year yet. Queen looked like one of the most promising young linebackers in the league, but unfortunately, he hasn’t hit those same highs with the Steelers. Now, he’s going into the last year of his deal, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo doubts that the Steelers will re-sign him.
“At some point, they are gonna have to get an insider linebacker,” Fittipaldo said recently on the Armstrong Neighborhood Channel on YouTube. “If they don’t get one this year high, I think they’re gonna have to attack that next year because I don’t think they’re gonna bring Patrick Queen back for a second contract.
“I think they’re paying him $16 million a year, you want a little more bang for your buck in free agency. I think he’s been a decent player, but for that kind of money, probably not what they were looking for.”
Fine is the best way to describe Queen’s two seasons in Pittsburgh. While he made the Pro Bowl in 2024, he still did not quite live up to his price tag. Queen’s play has mostly been a mixed bag with the Steelers.
However, that might not be all his fault. Injuries have held Queen back, with the linebacker recently revealing that he was banged up for all of last season. Despite that, he hasn’t missed a single game with the Steelers, and he deserves some credit for that.
Also, the Steelers’ defensive scheme hasn’t been at its best in recent years. There were a lot of questions surrounding Teryl Austin, especially last season. Now, with Patrick Graham as Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator, there’s a chance that Queen could thrive more. Graham has been successful with little talent in the past. Perhaps he can help unlock Queen’s potential.
Queen will only be 27 this season, so he’s still young and could improve. Still, if he does have a better year, then he’ll likely want another big pay day. The Steelers might not want to give that to him after two of middling seasons.
It’s also important to note that the team has reportedly had trade talks involving Queen this offseason. While much of that noise has quieted down, Queen isn’t guaranteed to spend this season with the Steelers. And there’s a lot pointing toward Queen’s time in Pittsburgh coming to an end sooner rather than later.
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