The Pittsburgh Steelers have recently begun their offseason programs, and for the first time since being signed, both rookies and free agent acquisitions are showing their skills in the black and gold. These programs are designed to help knock the offseason rust off the cleats, and allow players to start building comradery amongst themselves that should pay off during the season.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin watches the offense at the team's OTAs in Pittsburgh, PA.
Though there are plenty of storylines around the Steelers, ranging from the quarterback competition to the revamped offensive line, the biggest question may circulate around the free agent acquisitions as they hope to bring success from their NFL career to the Steel City. No player out of this free agency period will have more expectation on them as Patrick Queen, who is already earning high praise from former AP Defensive Player of the Year and teammate, TJ Watt.
"Speed is the first thing that comes to mind. A guy who blows up opposing offenses. We watch a lot of Baltimore film because we play a lot of the same opponents. A lot of the game stunts that he does in the pass rush is something that sticks out to me. I'm just looking forward to getting to know him and getting to learn and hopefully take something away from him to help my game and help us be a better defense."
If anything stands out regarding Watt's words, it's the glowing admiration that he has for Queen. If you're doing something so well that the league's perennial sack leader wishes to learn from you, you are doing something right. Though there are arguments to be made regarding other offseason acquisitions being integral, the signing of Queen stands out as a swing you can't afford to miss on.
Queen comes off a season that helped land him a lucrative contract with the Steelers. After being selected as a first round pick in 2020 out of LSU, he was a solid starter, but never the game wrecker the Baltimore Ravens envisioned him to be when they drafted him, despite having over 100 tackles in three of his four seasons with the team.
Terrance Williams / Associated Press
Steelers' Patrick Queen during his time with the Ravens.
Everything changed for Queen after the addition of Roquan Smith, as Queen came out of the 2023 campaign with both a Pro Bowl nomination and a Second Team All-Pro selection under his belt. The biggest knock on Queen as he begins the next stage of his career, is whether or not he can be the game wrecker he was in Baltimore without Smith next to him.
The Steelers Need Queen To Play Like A King
The Steelers' struggle at inside linebacker has been apparent through the career of Watt. Adding a player with the speed of Queen is already a huge boost for the organization and its highest paid defense. Queen may have had success with Smith, but now joins a team with arguably the best outside tandem in the NFL in Watt and Alex Highsmith. If Queen can't succeed with those two rushing the passer, then his career deserves the criticism.
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Pittsburgh Steelers edge rushers TJ Watt (#90) and Alex Highsmith (#56) have combined to create a true headache for offensive lines.
This defense hopes that Queen can be the final piece to what already is a Top 10 defense, and put them over the top, but that all depends on the development of Queen in the locker room. He has already shared his enthusiasm to play for the historic franchise, and the hope is that he will show that enthusiasm on the field in the form of big plays.
The Ravens and Steelers do a lot of the same things defensively, so if Queen can learn the playbook quickly, he should be able to teach Watt a thing or two. The defense needs to continue to gel and learn off each other, which conveniently they have plenty of time to do with the season still months away.
What do you think about Watt's remarks regarding Queen? Be sure to comment below!
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