Pittsburgh, PA – June 30, 2025
A new face in the Steel City is bringing serious heat. Pittsburgh’s latest defensive addition — a relentless inside linebacker with playoff pedigree — is already turning heads and setting the tone for a Super Bowl-caliber season, league sources told ESPN.
Signed during the 2025 offseason, this defensive leader brings speed, toughness, and AFC North experience. His arrival solidifies a linebacking corps looking to reassert Pittsburgh’s identity as one of the most feared units in football.
That player is Patrick Queen, the former Ravens Pro Bowler whose switch to the rival Steelers sent shockwaves through the division. At 26, Queen is entering his prime, coming off a season with 133 tackles and 3.5 sacks, and he’s not holding back his excitement about this new chapter.
“There’s something different about this place,” Queen said. “The fans here — they don’t just cheer for you, they fight for you. It’s personal. I came here to win with them, for them.”
With Cole Holcomb still rehabbing and Elandon Roberts stepping into a leadership role, Queen gives Pittsburgh a dynamic presence in the middle of the field. His combination of sideline-to-sideline speed and blitzing ability fits perfectly in Teryl Austin’s aggressive scheme.
Steelers fans on X are fired up: “Queen’s already a Yinzer,” one post read. “Dude’s talking Super Bowl and hasn’t even played a snap yet. We love it!”
His experience playing against the Steelers — and losing to them — gives Queen extra motivation. Now, with T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick around him, he’s ready to flip the script.
“I know what it’s like to be on the other side of the Terrible Towels,” Queen added. “Now I want to be the reason they’re waving.”
With training camp just around the corner, Queen is already becoming a vocal presence in the locker room and on the field. The Steelers believe this is the piece they needed to bring the Lombardi Trophy back home.
Stay tuned to ESPN!
