Steelers' Patrick Queen Addresses Harsh Remarks After Chiefs Loss

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reeling following their third straight defeat. Just a month ago, the team was riding high, full of confidence after a strong run. However, after losses to the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs, the atmosphere surrounding the team has shifted dramatically. The once-promising season now feels uncertain, with the team's momentum derailed at the worst possible time.

In the aftermath of the Christmas Day loss to the Chiefs, key defensive players like Patrick Queen, Cam Heyward, and DeShon Elliott voiced their frustrations, notably calling out issues on the defensive side of the ball. The consensus among them was clear: a mystery player was failing to do their job, causing disruptions within the unit. Queen, in particular, had strong words following each loss, but it was his comments after the Ravens and Chiefs defeats that caught the most attention.

On Monday, Queen addressed the media to clarify his previous remarks. He explained that his frustration was aimed at the overall performance of the defense and the need for everyone to be accountable. While he didn't name names, Queen emphasized that the team must get back to playing together and fixing the breakdowns that have led to these disappointing losses.

"Just the same thing we talked about in the preseason," Queen said. "Guys just need to do their jobs and you gotta want to do it. It’s just that simple. If you want to be great, that is what it’s going to take. I think everybody particularly wants to be great, so I don’t think none of that is going on. We just gotta lock in and all do our job."

Following the loss to the Chiefs, Mike Tomlin reportedly gathered the team to address the elephant in the room. He made sure to acknowledge the frustration but was determined not to let the harsh words disrupt the team’s focus. Tomlin took charge, working to maintain control of the locker room and resolve the issues before the playoffs begin.

When asked about the impact of the team meeting, Queen was candid in his response. He acknowledged that the conversation helped address the concerns he had raised, but emphasized the need for continued focus and improvement as the team prepares for the postseason.

"Definitely, especially with the people that we got," Queen said. "Nobody took it the wrong way. Everybody took it the right way. So it is just a point of us getting better this week."

When star players on the defense publicly say someone isn’t doing their job and it’s causing major issues, that’s a tough message for any fan base to hear. The good news for the Steelers is that, despite their recent struggles, they still have a chance to turn things around before the playoffs. If they can fix the issues plaguing them, there’s still a chance for a deep playoff run. But after three straight uncompetitive losses, they’ve gone from looking like contenders to sitting in the pretender category—at least for now.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Has His Back Against The Wall Once Again

Adversity isn’t new to Tomlin or quarterback Russell Wilson, and the season is far from over. Every team faces a lull at some point, and while the past month hasn’t been kind to Pittsburgh, a win to close out the 2024 regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals would be a big step forward. A loss, however, would be devastating, leaving them with four straight defeats heading into the playoffs. 

Wilson will be looking to rebound with his offense, while Queen, Heyward and the rest of the defense will aim to get their high-priced unit back on track. Despite the challenges, there’s still reason for hope. This Steelers team has the potential to bounce back, and with the right adjustments, they can make a run in the postseason.

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