"Wasn't The Season I Wanted": Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowler On Rough 1st Season - Gridiron Heroics

Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on the sidelines against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers aim for a better outcome in 2025, hoping to win their first AFC North division title since 2020 and secure a playoff victory for the first time since 2016. For that to happen, the defense must play lights out without any major weaknesses like last year. The Steelers’ biggest weakness in 2024 was in coverage, as they gave up the eighth-most completions and passing yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowler had a rough 1st season

Patrick Queen had a rough first season, posting fewer tackles, TFLs, and sacks compared to 2023 while struggling in coverage and against the run, but he still made his second Pro Bowl. He recorded 129 tackles, six TFLs, one sack, seven pass deflections, and two forced fumbles in 17 starts. Queen also posted 36 stops, 13 pressures, a 105.0 passer rating in coverage, a 53.8 coverage grade, a 56.8 run defense grade, and a 58.5 PFF grade, ranking 122nd, 146th, and 125th among 189 qualified linebackers.

Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowler on rough 1st season

During Sunday’s interview with Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Patrick Queen was asked about his first season in Pittsburgh. The two-time linebacker said last season wasn’t what he wanted and wished he had been more prepared for the new defensive scheme. Queen hopes to learn from past mistakes and be an even better player.

“It wasn’t the season I wanted,” Queen said, via Batko. “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.

“For me, personally, I think I could have expectations and surpass them, and I’d still be upset that I didn’t do more. 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.”