Patrick Queen fires back at former Pittsburgh Steeler critical of his play

Patrick Queen fires back at former Pittsburgh Steeler critical of his play originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex was critical of linebacker Patrick Queen on social media on Sunday and Queen has since fired back.

Essex aired his frustration with Queen during the Steelers' 26-7 loss at the hands of the Buffalo Bills, and it wasn't long before Pittsburgh's slinebacker responded.

First, here's what Essex posted on Queen:

"He’s hurt, but I’m over the Patrick Queen experiment," Essex proclaimed. "Simply put, he’s not a Steelers LB. He’s not Farrior. He’s not Timmons. He’s not Shazier. He doesn’t play with that disposition. We missed on that signing. And for our main rival to let him leave, shoulda been a sign.

And here's what Queen said in response:

"Never was a pro bowler or all pro but get on here yappin," Queen said. "Got carried your whole career back n forth from the bench stfu!" Queen said.

When a Steelers fan in the comments of the post criticized him for even responding to Essex, Queen defended himself while also pointing out he hasn't missed a tackle in three games.

"Oh right cause only fans are allowed to tweet got it! Haven’t missed a tackle in 3 games and it’s part of the game your favorite players off all time missed them too," Queen said.

Missed tackles were a big issue for Queen earlier in the season, but he has been better in that area of late.

Nevertheless, the Steelers' defense as a whole has been disappointing this season, especially when you consider head coach Mike Tomlin's offseason comment that saying the unit could do "historic things" this season.

"We feel really good about the prospects of this group," Tomlin said. "We gotta write that story, but we've got enough talent, we've got enough schematics to do big, big things. And when I say big things, I'm talking about historic things."

Ouch.

Despite how bad things are right now, the Steelers still have a shot to win the division and make the playoffs, although their chances of going any further than that are slim, at best, given what we've seen from both sides of the ball in 2025.

Looking ahead to 2026, all bets are off. It's possible we could see major change, and Queen could possibly be a victim of that change with the clear out the Steelers have with his contract next offseason.

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