It’s no secret the Pittsburgh Steelers have loaded up on defense in recent years. Despite having an expensive defense, they didn’t perform last season. A part of that underwhelming unit was linebacker Patrick Queen.

It was a career low for him in several categories, including missed tackles, with an abysmal rate above 21 percent. Looking ahead to 2026, the team is desperate for him to bounce back. Sam Monson of the 33rd Team isn’t so sure that will come to pass.

​In a recent episode of Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo and Sam Monson, he talked about the Steelers’ struggles at linebacker. He took particular aim at Queen.

​“The Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, whose fault was this thing. That’s been a fairly consistent theme throughout Patrick Queen’s career,” Monson said. “If I was a betting man, I’d probably say that it was Queen’s fault…I do feel that’s who Patrick Queen is generally and that might be a problem for them.”

Monson added he’s unsure if Queen is “ever in the right spot at the right time.”

​Not exactly a sterling review of Queen, but perhaps a fair one for this past season. Queen has actually said as much in a recent interview. Talking to reporters, he acknowledged that this season needs to be better if the team is to meet their goals.

“I care enough to know that I had a down year,” Queen said via Pittsburgh’s DSEN. “I know how to correct it; I know how to fix it. My coaches know how to fix it, so we’re all collaborating.”

But he knows, in particular, that he has to clean up his tackling.

​Despite what Monson might think, Queen has had success in the NFL, so a better 2026 is hopefully in the cards. Queen isn’t far removed from making the Pro Bowl in 2023 and 2024. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023.

​It wasn’t just doom and gloom for Monson, though. He complimented Pittsburgh’s overall talent on defense, pointing out that their front and talent behind their linebackers is “very good.” If the Steelers can get above-average play from Queen and the rest of their defense meets expectations, they may be working with a special unit.