UNITY TWP., Pa. —Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen admitted during his media availability on Wednesday that he failed to live up to expectations in 2025.
"I mean, at the end of the day, I ain't really tripping at all," Queen said. "I care enough to know that I had a down year, but I know how to correct it. I know how to fix it."
Queen signed a three-year, $41 million contract with the Steelers in March of 2024. It was the largest unrestricted free-agent signing in franchise history.
Through two seasons, Queen hasn't played like a $13.6 million per year linebacker.
One AFC personnel evaluator had a blunt take on Queen earlier this month.
"He is very good when he turns it on and uses his speed and strength. His play is too inconsistent for my taste," the unnamed AFC personnel evaluator said to ESPN.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen in a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 4, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers' inside linebackers room has been heavily criticized heading into 2026. Inside linebacker was tabbed as the Steelers' biggest weakness by ESPN.
"Off-ball linebacker. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson are back as the starters, and that might not be a good thing after Pittsburgh ranked 27th in run stop win rate (28.9%) last season," Clay wrote. "Queen remained an every-down player last season but slipped to 61st among 67 qualified off-ball linebackers in PFF grade (he ranked 54th among 69 qualified in 2024). Wilson could make a Year 3 leap, though he struggled to fend off Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison, who both remain on the roster, for snaps last season."
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."
With new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham now in the picture, Queen could have a bounce-back season.
"He's throwing a lot of different things out there. It's all stuff that makes sense and things he's focused in on the details," Queen said. "He's made sure everyone understands their job and that we also understand what everyone on the defense is doing."
Alan Saunders provided reporting from St. Vincent College.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Linebacker Patrick Queen Makes Eye-Opening Confession About 2025 Season
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