While the Pittsburgh Steelers have upgraded at several positions this offseason, their roster isn’t perfect. One spot that they didn’t add at was inside linebacker, and that was a little confusing. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson have been up and down in Pittsburgh. The depth behind them is suspect, too. As a result, former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex ranked the Steelers inside linebacker room third best in the AFC North.
“We have some work to do,” Essex said Tuesday on his Snap Count podcast. “I think we’re number three based on our performance last year. I think Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson can come back and rebound and be the best linebacking duo in the division if they take to Graham’s [defense] and he has a plan for them…
“The big thing last year for us seemed to be communication, not everybody knowing where they were supposed to be at all times.”
Queen and Wilson look like a solid duo on paper. Queen has been a Second-team All-Pro and is a multi-time Pro Bowler. Meanwhile, Wilson has a rare combination of size and athleticism. He was a third-round pick, but his skill level is above that. He fell in the draft because of injury concerns.
However, neither of them has reached their full potential with the Steelers. Pittsburgh signed Queen in 2024, and he had an underwhelming first season with the team. His 2025 season was similar, too. Some of that could be blamed on injuries, but Queen only has one year left on his contract, and he was involved in trade rumors earlier this offseason. Therefore, his time in Pittsburgh could be limited.
Wilson is a similar story, although he has less NFL experience than Queen. There was hope that Wilson was going to take a jump in his second season last year. However, he still had problems, particularly in the run game.
Compare that to what the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens have at linebacker. Essex ranked their rooms at first and second in the division, respectively. Cleveland has 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger and former First-team All-Pro Quincy Williams. Meanwhile, Baltimore has Roquan Smith, who has been one of the league’s best linebackers for several years.
The Steelers’ top linebacker duo hasn’t been as consistent as those players. Essex is right that they have the potential to surpass Baltimore and Cleveland’s rooms. However, they have to prove it on the field. If they don’t, then linebacker could become one of Pittsburgh’s top priorities next offseason.
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