The Pittsburgh Steelers, once feared as one of the NFL’s top defensive units, have seen their reputation take a sharp downturn after suffering three consecutive tough losses. Once dominant, the defense has been exposed, and hopes of a late-season turnaround are quickly fading as struggles persist.
Amid this slump, key defensive leaders have stepped up to address the issues, refusing to let them slide. Linebacker Patrick Queen, known for his intensity and leadership, has been particularly vocal in calling out his teammates for failing to perform their roles. His frustration has been evident, as he pushes for accountability across the board.
Following the Steelers’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Queen, facing his former team, openly criticized the defense for missed assignments and allowing big plays. His frustrations only grew after the Christmas Day defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, as he emphasized the team’s lack of execution and urgency.
“We keep talking about it, but nobody’s doing anything about it,” Queen told Steelers insider Mark Kaboly. “If we don’t start doing our jobs, there’s no fixing this. We’ve been saying it for weeks—it’s time to stop talking and go out there, play fast, play physical, and do your job.”
While careful not to single out specific players, Queen highlighted a key defensive lapse: Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy’s early touchdown, a result of missed assignments on a play the team had prepared for all week.
“We preached it all week,” Queen said. “We knew they’d run that, we had a check for it, but we didn’t execute. It all comes down to doing your job.”
Queen’s Solution for Fixing the Defense
Queen’s frustration stems from the defense’s failure to execute, especially after preparing extensively for the Chiefs’ fast-paced attack. The Steelers’ performance against Kansas City was arguably their worst defensive outing of the season, marked by breakdowns in communication and execution.
Despite the setbacks, Queen remains optimistic about his teammates’ commitment to winning. However, he has urged them to hold themselves accountable and take ownership of their mistakes. His message is simple yet powerful: “Do your job.”
As the Steelers face a must-win game against the Cincinnati Bengals to close out the regular season, Queen’s challenge to the team is clear. Ending the losing streak with a victory is crucial, not only to boost morale but also to regain momentum heading into the postseason. Without immediate improvement, the Steelers’ playoff aspirations could quickly unravel.
