PITTSBURGH —The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't bring Patrick Queen to Pittsburgh simply to rack up tackles. They signed him to become the heartbeat of the defense, and entering his third season with the organization, that responsibility has never been greater.
With Patrick Graham taking over as the Steelers' new defensive coordinator, Queen is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the defensive transition. Graham has built a reputation throughout his coaching career for designing flexible, player-driven schemes that maximize the strengths of his personnel rather than forcing players into rigid roles.
For a linebacker with Queen's versatility, that could open the door to an even bigger impact.
The Steelers have long relied on athletic linebackers capable of doing everything from stopping the run to covering tight ends and blitzing the quarterback. Queen checks every one of those boxes and has become one of the leaders of Pittsburgh's defense since arriving from the Baltimore Ravens in free agency.
Queen stacked up 126 total tackles last season, second on the team only to Payton Wilson . Queen was linked to the Dallas Cowboys in trade rumors earlier this offseason, but Jerry Jones' team wound up acquiring Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers.
"Some of it was true, some it was just extended truth," Queen said at OTAs. "Just people rambling and stuff. That's what you're gonna have with social media nowadays, everybody wants the first say-so of whatever happens and they wanna hope to be right. But (there) was very slim facts out there, and that's all I'll leave it at."
While a new defensive system always comes with an adjustment period, Queen's experience, communication skills and ability to play all three downs should make him one of the foundational pieces of Graham's defense.
Graham has emphasized communication and adaptability throughout the offseason, two qualities that fit naturally with Queen's skill set. His defenses have traditionally featured multiple fronts and versatile linebackers who can wear several hats depending on the opponent.
That versatility is exactly why the Steelers invested heavily in Queen two years ago.
After another productive season in 2025, Queen enters 2026 looking to take another step as one of the NFL's premier inside linebackers. Whether he's chasing down running backs from sideline to sideline, dropping into coverage or creating pressure as a blitzer, the Steelers will lean on him to help set the tone for Graham's new-look defense.
If Pittsburgh's defense quickly adapts to its new coordinator, Queen will almost certainly be one of the biggest reasons why.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen during an OTAs practice on May 27, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
6 • Patrick Queen , Inside Linebacker, LSU
6-foot, 232 pounds, 26 years old, 7th NFL season
Acquired: The Steelers signed Queen as an unrestricted free agent during the 2024 offseason after four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens . His arrival gave Pittsburgh one of the league's most accomplished off-ball linebackers while taking away a key piece from a division rival.
Last year: Queen started every game for Pittsburgh in 2025, once again serving as the leader of the inside linebacker room. His ability to defend the run, play in coverage and wear the green dot made him one of the defense's most valuable players.
Pro career: Entering his third season with the Steelers and seventh in the NFL, Queen has established himself as one of football's premier three-down linebackers. A two-time Pro Bowler and former second-team All-Pro, he is expected to serve as one of the leaders of Patrick Graham's defense in 2026.
PATRICK QUEEN NFL CAREER STATS
| Year |
Team |
GP |
Tackles |
TFL's |
Sacks |
INT's |
FF's |
FR's |
PD's |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 |
BAL |
16 |
106 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| 2021 |
BAL |
17 |
98 |
10 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| 2022 |
BAL |
17 |
117 |
9 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
| 2023 |
BAL |
17 |
133 |
9 |
3.5 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
| 2024 |
PIT |
17 |
129 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
| 2025 |
PIT |
17 |
120 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
PATRICK QUEEN COLLEGE CAREER
College: Queen broke out during LSU's undefeated 2019 national championship season, totaling 85 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception. He capped off his collegiate career by earning Defensive MVP honors in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Clemson before being selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
PATRICK QUEEN COLLEGE STATS
| Year |
College |
GP |
Tackles |
TFL's |
Sacks |
INT's |
FR's |
PD's |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 |
LSU |
12 |
6 |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2018 |
LSU |
13 |
40 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2019 |
LSU |
15 |
85 |
12 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
PATRICK QUEEN PRE-DRAFT TESTING
SALARY CAP AND CONTRACTQueen is entering the third season of the three-year, $41 million contract he signed with the Steelers as a free agent in 2024. His deal runs through the 2026 season and includes $28.9 million in guaranteed money.
ODDS AND ENDSQueen was selected 28th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft after helping LSU capture the 2019 national championship. He earned Defensive MVP honors in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Clemson, recording eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. A Louisiana native, Queen didn't become a full-time starter until his final collegiate season before quickly developing into one of the NFL's top linebackers.
MORE STEELERS ALL 90
Brendan Howe provided reporting from Pirrsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Will Patrick Queen Lead Steelers Into New Defensive Era?
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