The Pittsburgh Steelers started the 2025 season with a strong start, as they usually do. The narrative around the team was that Aaron Rodgers had finally found the perfect situation, and this Steelers defense might just be able to carry the now 42-year-old quarterback deep into the playoffs. However, the truth is, the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and that frustration from fans has grown louder with each passing year. For a Mike Tomlin-led team, that’s far too long without a meaningful postseason run. The pressure became tangible when fans chanted "Fire Tomlin" after the Steelers were outscored 23-0 in the second half of a home loss to the Buffalo Bills.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin coaching up linebacker Patrick Queen during the 2025 NFL season.
Despite the noise, the Steelers shocked the football world by bouncing back with two impressive wins; one on the road against the Baltimore Ravens, and then taking down the Miami Dolphins in Week 15 at home. The team’s resilience highlighted a turning point, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, which had been a cornerstone of the Steelers’ identity for decades. After a shaky few games and mounting fan criticism, the squad showed that it could respond under pressure, a hallmark of Tomlin’s leadership.
Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen has never been shy about calling out things he doesn’t like since arriving in the Steel City. In the 2024 season, he was vocal about players not doing their jobs, holding teammates accountable and refusing to shy away from difficult conversations. Queen recently detailed one of those challenging locker room talks that ultimately led to the defense turning things around quickly. His willingness to speak up helped the team address internal issues head-on, creating a culture of accountability that has become critical to the Steelers’ push in the 2025 season.
"It got to the point that you could feel the tension in the room and everybody who needed to say something, said something," Queen said via 93.7 The Fan. "Everybody got off what they needed to get off and everybody was basically right. Everyone was basically saying the same thing that we got to be accountable and do your job."
Queen even admitted he was getting really frustrated with Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin as well as Tomlin. He wasn’t afraid to call out things he felt were wrong, and doing so has helped Tomlin and Austin see certain situations from a different perspective, according to Queen.
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Steelers' Patrick Queen celebrates with Payton Wilson during a win over the Miami Dolphins at home during the 2025 season.
The linebacker specifically called out the coaches for putting the team in the wrong positions, and many other players voiced their opinions as well. The Bills game proved to be a real breaking point for the defense, sparking difficult conversations that ultimately led to a turnaround. Queen explained why the tension was fruitful for this roster.
"Because we care," Queen said. "Every single person on this team cares. Everybody wants to win. You know, it's the whole Pittsburgh playoff thing that we really care less about. Us as players, having been in Pittsburgh that long, we just care about playing football and winning. At the end of the day, we're football players. We love football. Obviously, we want to win."
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Now, Steelers fans are hopeful these changes will stick, even without TJ Watt and potentially Nick Herbig, a major blow as the team prepares to face the Detroit Lions on the road in Week 16.
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Outside linebackers Nick Herbig (left) and TJ Watt (right) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The tough conversations and accountability from players like Queen have instilled a renewed sense of focus and resilience, giving fans reason to believe the Steelers’ defense can continue to carry the team forward. The Steelers are big underdogs against the Lions. However, a win with some key injuries would really make the NFL world look at Pittsburgh as a contender.
Do you think the Steelers can go into Detroit and walk away with a win? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!
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