After a tough stretch of two consecutive losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys, the Pittsburgh Steelers have seen their record drop from 3-0 to 3-2. As a result, some fans are growing impatient.
On October 8, linebacker Patrick Queen addressed the situation by posting a short message on social media. Despite receiving over 3.3K likes and 100,000 views within seven hours, Queen’s message frustrated some followers, particularly because he hasn’t been performing at his best since joining the team.
One of the top comments read, “Make a [expletive] play,” while another suggested, “Call Davante Adams as soon as possible please.”
However, there were still fans showing their support. One follower said, “I think everyone was just cranky that they had to stay up so late. Keep fighting, brother,” while another urged Queen to “show out on Sunday,” noting that the Steelers “need a bounce-back game.”
Patrick Queen’s Struggles in Pass Coverage Aren’t Isolated
The Steelers’ defense has struggled recently, contributing as much to their losses as the offensive issues. In Week 5, the Cowboys managed 445 total yards, and it was only due to red zone turnovers that the score didn’t get worse.
According to head coach Mike Tomlin, part of the defensive struggles stem from breakdowns in communication. This is reflected in the Steelers’ performance in pass coverage. Queen has not excelled in this area, allowing 140 yards and a passer rating of 108.3. However, he’s not the only one struggling. Slot cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. has allowed 201 yards and 2 touchdowns, while cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson have each allowed 144 yards.
Safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee have also allowed over 100 yards through the air over five games.
Added Responsibility May Be Behind Queen’s Early Struggles
Beyond pass coverage, Queen’s run defense has been a major issue. According to Pro Football Focus, he has missed 8 tackles while recording only 5 key defensive stops, leading to a poor stop rate of 1.7% and a missed tackle rate of 29.2%. He’s also allowing an average of 5.6 yards per tackle.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat reporter Ray Fittipaldo attributed Queen’s early struggles to the added responsibilities that come with wearing the green dot on defense, which means he is responsible for calling plays. “He has a lot on his plate as the QB of the defense,” Fittipaldo noted, adding that communication issues are partly to blame.
As Queen adjusts to his role, there is hope that his performance will improve. With the Steelers investing $13.84 million in guaranteed money over three years for him, he’ll need to find his footing soon.
