Preseason tape often generates generic cliches, but Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen provided rare, unvarnished accountability following a costly breakdown against the New York Jets.
The mistake came on a third-down touchdown pass to Jets tight end Jelani Woods. Pittsburgh deployed an exotic "1-5-5" package, putting five linebackers on the field. This is a wrinkle that new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is utilizing to unleash versatile playmakers like Nick Herbig and Payton Wilson.
As Woods engaged edge rusher Alex Highsmith, Queen sniffed out an opportunity to blitz quarterback Geno Smith. However, Woods disengaged, slipped into the flat untouched, and walked into the end zone.
In a video shared by Christopher Carter on his
“Locked on Steelers” podcast, Queen owned the mistake instead of deflecting blame.
"Nothing really, honestly. It was just a dumb, dumb play by me," Queen admitted when asked about the post-play reaction with Graham. "Literally looked at Alex and knew what play was coming. I just figured I could get to Gino before he got ducked off. So, but this the same defensive call that we had here the last three years, and I never had that mistake on that type of play. So, it is what it is."
While the error cost six points, it highlighted the aggressive nature of Graham's defensive philosophy. Rather than implementing a rigid, top-down system, Graham encourages open feedback and calculated risks.
"It's a lot of a lot of good collaboration," Queen explained regarding his dynamic with Graham. "Maybe if I don't understand something, he gets back to me and tells me exactly how it is. If it's something I don't like, then he actually takes the information and try to change it. We've been working back and forth, man. That's been fun."
With high-risk pressure concepts comes the potential for temporary miscommunication. But if Queen's film-room accountability is any indicator, Pittsburgh's defense is embracing the growing pains required to unleash a terrifyingly dynamic pass rush.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Patrick Queen takes blame for Steelers preseason breakdown
