Patrick Queen Attempts To Destroy Steelers Super Bowl Champion In Brutal Fashion: "STFU"

The Pittsburgh Steelers did business ahead of the 2024 NFL season to sign former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen. The team offered him a three-year deal worth $41 million, signaling their belief that he could be a key piece in their defense. Queen has shown flashes of his potential in the Steel City, but he hasn’t fully lived up to the expectations many had for him across the league. Critics have questioned whether his success in Baltimore was largely a product of the system, where he played alongside Roquan Smith.

During the Steelers’ 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season, former Steelers guard Trai Essex took to social media to voice his frustration, calling Queen a failure for the organization. 

Essex pointed to the Ravens letting Queen walk in free agency as a warning sign, suggesting that the linebacker’s struggles were well-documented and perhaps indicative of his ceiling as a player. The comments added fuel to the ongoing debate over Queen’s performance and whether he has been worth the sizable investment the Steelers made in him.

On Sunday night, Queen appeared to have had enough of the criticism and took to social media to respond. He directly clapped back at those talking negatively about him, specifically calling out Essex for his remarks. The linebacker’s response shows a more assertive side of him, demonstrating that he is not shying away from the scrutiny and is willing to defend his place in Pittsburgh’s defense. Fans and analysts will now be watching to see if Queen can translate his online confidence into production on the field.

"Never was a Pro Bowler or an All-Pro, but get on [social media] yappin'," Queen said in response to Essex's critique. "Got carried your whole career back and forth from the bench, STFU!"

Following the loss on the same night, one fan replied to Queen’s initial post, saying, “If u were as good at football as u are responding to tweets u may be having an All-Pro season urself. Instead u can’t tackle to save ur life.” Queen quickly took a distaste to the comment and clapped back at that fan as well, adding to the growing tension online. 

With the Steelers now falling to 6–6 in the 2025 NFL season, Queen is clearly struggling to separate online criticism from his on-field responsibilities, engaging heavily on social media as he tries to defend himself.

As the Steelers push into the final stretch of the 2025 season, Queen’s situation highlights the growing pressure surrounding both the team and its high-priced defensive standout. 

Steelers' Patrick Queen Must Tune Out The Noise

While criticism is inevitable in a passionate football city like Pittsburgh, Queen’s increasingly public battles with fans and former players raise questions about his focus and confidence. The Steelers invested heavily in him to be a stabilizing force, not a lightning rod for controversy. 

If Pittsburgh hopes to rebound and salvage its playoff ambitions, Queen will need to tune out the noise, regain control of the narrative, and let his play speak louder than his posts. Though he has every right to defend himself online, many fans would prefer not to see that during a period when the team is struggling. Still, to each their own.

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