Patrick Queen

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		101	703	15.5	4
2025		17	120	1.0	0
2024		17	129	1.0	0
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Pittsburgh struck a reasonable deal in landing Patrick Queen for $13.7M AAV, earning a B- CVI that reflects solid value for an above-average starter at linebacker. Queen's production tier justifies this investment — he's not elite, but he's a proven commodity who can anchor the middle of a defense without breaking the bank in today's inflated market. At 25, he's entering his prime years, making the three-year commitment perfectly timed to capture his best football while avoiding the risk of a longer-term deal into his decline phase. The $13.8M guaranteed keeps Pittsburgh's downside manageable, essentially making this a one-year commitment with two team-friendly option years if Queen elevates his game further. This signing addresses a clear need without the franchise-crippling risk that comes with chasing marquee names, giving the Steelers a dependable defensive anchor at fair market rate.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Patrick's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Patrick Queen, a six-year NFL veteran and former first-round pick, remains a productive run-stuffer for the Pittsburgh Steelers despite a slight performance dip in 2025. The 26-year-old linebacker has solidified himself as a reliable three-down player with elite tackle production, averaging 7.06 per game—well above the NFL average of 2.19 and nearly matching the elite threshold of 7.32. Queen's pedigree and sustained production across 101 career games establish him as a dependable defensive anchor, though his current season grade of B- reflects some regression from his B+ showings in 2024 and 2023. Queen's elite strength remains his gap discipline and pursuit in the running game, where his tackle volume speaks volumes. However, his pass-rush impact remains underwhelming at 0.06 sacks per game, significantly trailing both the NFL average of 0.15 and the elite standard of 0.51. While his 0.53 tackles for loss per game exceeds the NFL average of 0.27, the lack of sack production reveals a limitation as a down-lineman disruptor—a growing concern for modern linebacker evaluation. His 0.24 pass deflections per game sits near the NFL average, suggesting adequate but unremarkable coverage instincts. Queen's trajectory warrants monitoring closely heading into next season, as his skill set remains valuable in run-heavy schemes but less impactful in pass coverage and sack generation. If his 2025 decline reflects a temporary dip rather than declining athleticism, he could return to B+ form with improved edge presence and more aggressive gap penetration. The Steelers' defensive scheme should continue to maximize his strengths while mitigating pass-rush limitations.

How Patrick Compares at the Position

Patrick Queen ranks 29th of 339 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Patrick between Devin Lloyd (B+) just ahead and Brian Burns (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Inside the Pittsburgh Steelers ecosystem, the take on Patrick Queen settles at a B sentiment grade. The narrative around him has pivoted meaningfully over the last two weeks — his direct dismissal of trade-rumor chatter as a "charade" and his measured, professional stance on contract extension talks have resonated positively with the fanbase and local media, projecting quiet confidence and commitment to Pittsburgh rather than drama or restlessness. There's a notable gap between perception and production here: his on-field work earns a B+ grade (120 tackles and 17 games played in the 2025 season), suggesting he's delivering starter-caliber linebacker play, yet the public conversation remains filtered through the lens of contract uncertainty and a sense that he's underappreciated relative to his actual value. The Steelers' recent offseason activity — adding defensive depth and rotating the secondary — doesn't directly reshape Queen's standing, but the lack of visible forward movement on extension negotiations keeps enthusiasm from climbing higher. Bottom line: Queen is viewed as a dependable, high-effort defensive anchor whose reputation has room to grow; a contract resolution or a dominant 2026 campaign would likely push sentiment into the A range.