INDIANAPOLIS — Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen took ownership for the poor communication by the defense in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Queen wears the green dot on defense, so he’s the center of communication.
The defense looked lost on several occasions in Sunday’s game, as Colts quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco threaded the Steelers’ zone coverage.
“It’s unacceptable on our part, starting with me,” Queen said. “I gotta do a better job of just getting [the calls] out to everybody. I’ll take the blame for all that stuff.”
Queen was visibly upset with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. on Flacco’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Josh Downs late in the second quarter. It appears there was some type of miscommunication.
Colts tight end Alec Ogletree also caught a 15-yard touchdown from Flacco over the middle to give the Colts a 24-10 advantage early in the fourth quarter. Queen trailed in coverage on the play.
The Steelers gave Queen the largest free-agent deal in franchise history by almost $5 million annually this offseason. Queen will average $13.66 million on his three-year, $41 million deal. So far he’s not lived up to that contract. Granted it’s only been four games.
Former Steelers nose tackle Chris Hoke unleashed on Queen following Pittsburgh’s win over the Denver Broncos in Week 2 on the Steelers Extra Point.
“I just don’t think he’s playing good football right now,” Hoke said. “He’s having a tough time engaging offensive linemen and getting off those linemen. I see him getting knocked back too much and getting locked up, and that’s not his game. His game is more of a speed game where he’s got to get over the top.”
In 2023, Queen played in all 17 games with the Baltimore Ravens, racking up 133 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hits, six passes defended, one interception and one forced fumble. He was named a second-team All-Pro and was selected to the AFC Pro Bowl squad, his first career honor in each category.
The main narrative from the Baltimore media this offseason was that Queen wouldn’t be the same player without Roquan Smith by his side.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
