The Pittsburgh Steelers made a big splash in the free agency market ahead of the 2024 season. They signed former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen to a three-year deal worth $41 million. Queen actually turned down several million extra dollars from other teams to join the Steelers because he believed in their roster and felt they had a real shot at winning now.
During the 2024 season, Queen showed flashes of the athleticism and intensity that made him a coveted free agent. He made several big plays and was a vocal presence on defense, but many Steelers fans felt he didn’t truly live up to the lofty expectations that came with his contract. Whether it was missed tackles, inconsistent play, or simply failing to make game-changing moments, Queen's first year in Pittsburgh was a mixed bag.
On Tuesday, Queen opened up to Steelers insider Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and offered some honest insight into his struggles. He admitted that adapting to a new system and environment was more difficult than he anticipated and acknowledged that he was overthinking too often on the field. Queen also mentioned he put too much pressure on himself to prove his worth immediately, which ultimately impacted his performance.
"It wasn’t the season I wanted," Queen said, who thinks he could’ve had six interceptions. "Just because I didn't play the type of football I wanted to. You could blame it on a whole new system and all that other stuff, but at the end of the day, I’m a professional football player. That was Year 5. So, I think I should’ve been a little more well-prepared for that. I definitely take all accountability for that."
Queen made it clear that while he knows he wasn’t a bad player by any means, he was frustrated and disappointed with himself because he didn’t meet the high personal standards he set. Even if he had met those expectations, he admitted he would still be pushing himself harder, always striving for more.
That’s just the type of professional and competitor Queen is. It’s safe to say he’ll be focused on delivering a much stronger and more impactful second season in the Steel City in 2025.
"For me, personally, I think I could have expectations and surpass them, and I’d still be upset that I didn’t do more," Queen said. "I’m always going to be searching and looking for more that I can do, trying to be the best player I can be for my team and for myself. I didn't do that last year. That’s what really aggravated me this whole offseason."
Queen will be aiming for a much more impactful and productive 2025 season with Pittsburgh. While his first year was decent, it didn’t quite live up to the expectations of the fan base or the high standards Queen set for himself. With an improved defense around him, he has a real opportunity to bounce back and make a bigger difference on the field.
Steelers' Patrick Queen Looking For More Splash Plays In 2025
In the 2024 season, Queen recorded zero interceptions, but he openly admitted that he felt he could have had at least six. If Queen had managed that many turnovers, it’s safe to say the Steelers’ late-season struggles might have played out very differently.
The team went on a significant losing streak and couldn’t find a way to stop the slide. A few more big defensive plays could have been enough to shift momentum and potentially end the skid sooner. If Queen can bring greater form in the 2025 season this Steelers defense will get that much better.
