Steelers' Patrick Queen Gets Real About Team's Disappointing Defense: "Got Too Comfortable"

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense was the backbone of this team all season. It is one of the more expensive defenses in the NFL, but the Baltimore Ravens were able to crave it up in the Wild Card matchup. Derrick Henry had a night to remember, rushing for 186 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers could not find an answer for him or Lamar Jackson when it came to the run game. The defense has seemed to be an issue during the Steelers' five-game skid. From players calling each other out for not doing their job to allowing big plays in key situations, they just weren't playing the Steelers' brand of football fans are used to. 

Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen talked with the media after their 28-14 loss to the Ravens in the playoffs. He was asked what he felt went differently for the defense in the Wild Card loss and during the losing skid, which he was blunt about when answering. He felt that the unit was got too comfortable as the season went on and took the foot off the petal.

"We just got too comfortable." Queen said. "Started chasing too many wins. I think we just let off the petal in all seriousness."

The Steelers' defense has been an issue in the last five games, allowing too many big plays and letting opposing offenses control the game. The Ravens were able to control the game on the ground, letting Henry and Jackson win with their legs throughout the playoff matchup. 

The Steelers came in going into the wrong direction, something future Hall of Fame Ben Roethlisberger warned fans about leading up to their Wild Card matchup. Queen and the defense are not the only unit to blame when it comes to the lack of success of the Steelers to finish the season. 

The offense continues to start games slow and get things going when it was too late. Russell Wilson and the offense only had two first downs in the first half and could not cross into Ravens territory, which helped give their division rivals a 21-0 lead going into half.

The Steelers will have a lot of questions to answer in the 2025 offseason from personnel to their coaching staff, to make sure their playoff luck swings to the other direction. Mike Tomlin is starting to feel the heat from the fans as another year has passed without a playoff victory and his highly-paid defense played its part in it. 

Pittsburgh has prided themselves on its defense for years. From TJ Watt to acquiring Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins, the front office invested a lot of money to make sure that the unit is unbreakable. Unfortunately for the organization, the last five games, the group has just allowed too many big plays and kept itself on the field too long. 

Changes are needed to make sure this unit meets its expectations, whether that means Teryl Austin is fired or adding new personnel to the unit, something needs to happen that doesn't allow a guy like Henry to have close 200 yards on the ground against one of the highest-paid defenses in the league.

Steelers Are Stuck In A Cycle That They Cannot Exit From 

The Steelers cannot figure their way out of the Wild Card. This was another season for Tomlin where he cannot hang his cap on a playoff win. The defense did not do its job in containing the two-headed monster of Henry and Jackson when it knew the Ravens would try to exploit with Zay Flowers out of the equation. 

The Steelers will have many questions to answer this offseason, but the biggest is how to make sure that the staff can get the best production out of its loaded defense week to week. The team's last five games have been an embarrassment to the organization and the players would agree to that. While the 2024 season has officially come to an end, it's time to lick the wounds and gear up for a revival in 2025, something Tomlin needs to keep his seat cool.

What does the Steelers need to do to keep this playoff drought from continuing? What changes would you make on the defense? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

#SteelerNation