On the surface, the Pittsburgh Steelers have arguably their most talented roster of the 2020s thus far. By adding the likes of Michael Pittman, Rico Dowdle, Jamel Dean, Jaquan Brisker, and a quality draft class that features several names who can contribute right away, Pittsburgh could build on an AFC North championship from a season ago.
No matter how good any team’s roster is, though, there is always a weakest link. According to Mike Clay of ESPN, the weakest part of the Steelers’ roster is at inside
linebacker, and he singles out Patrick Queen as a player who needs to step up in 2026.
“Queen remained an every-down player last season but slipped to 61st among 67 qualified off-ball linebackers in PFF grade (he ranked 54th among 69 qualified in 2024),” Clay writes. “Wilson could make a Year 3 leap, though he struggled to fend off Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison, who both remain on the roster, for snaps last season.”
Queen is entering the final year of a three-year contract he signed back in 2024, which, at $41 million in total value, is the highest external free agent contract in Steelers history. He was a Pro Bowl selection in that 2024 season, but his inconsistency has been the biggest knock on his play over the last two seasons.
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