Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker Patrick Queen has been hit with a steep punishment by the NFL for his actions in the Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns. Queen ran directly into rookie Dillon Gabriel with “forcible” damage to the head and neck, leading to a massive fine.
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Queen was fined by the NFL for the hit, resulting in his having to pay $23,186. The Steelers defender was also hit with a roughing the passer call in the game.
The huge $23,186 fine is the biggest given out by the NFL during Week 6, with Tennessee Titans’ L’Jarius Sneed also being hit with the same amount for an unnecessary roughness play.
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The league has been cracking down on players engaging in dangerous hits and also actions that the NFL has deemed to be unsportsmanlike conduct. So far, 109 plays have resulted in fines to players in the 2025 season, according to the Gameday Accountability metrics from the NFL.
Queen and the Steelers play a tough brand of defense, but striking a quarterback in the head or neck will always draw a penalty and result in a massive fine. The NFL has been attempting to make the game safer through the years, and any unnecessary damage to the head and neck is to be avoided at all costs.
Gabriel is very tough. Following the huge hit, he jumped right back up behind center ready to play. He is a rookie after all, but head hits can oftentimes lead to concussions or worse. Thankfully, nothing more serious happened to the Browns’ signal caller.
For more on the Steelers head to Newsweek Sports.