Steelers Pro Bowler embracing added pressure of leadership role following the departure of vocal leader in the secondary
Anytime you lose someone that is the caliber of player that Minkah Fitzpatrick was for the Pittsburgh Steelers, someone is going to have to step up. Not only in their playmaking, but in their leadership ability. Patrick Queen is looking forward to being the one to make that happen for the Steelers…. Patrick Queen embracing bigger leadership […]
Anytime you lose someone that is the caliber of player that Minkah Fitzpatrick was for the Pittsburgh Steelers, someone is going to have to step up.
Not only in their playmaking, but in their leadership ability.
Patrick Queen is looking forward to being the one to make that happen for the Steelers….
Patrick Queen embracing bigger leadership role
"Of course," said Queen when asked if he would take a bigger role in leadership following the departure of Fitzpatrick. "Anytime you got a guy like Minkah that departs from the team and stuff, there's gotta be somebody that steps up. So of course. We got Deshon (Elliott) in the secondary as well [to be] be vocal. But as far as my part, I think the biggest thing is just being more vocal, being more of a leader, stepping out of that box, just like I said this is perfect time for me to do that [with] training camp."
Queen is going into year two on the defense. He is already the green dot (defensive signal caller) and now he has the chance to replace a leadership void. All of these elements form the perfect storm for him to become even more of a mainstay in the Steelers communication.
Yes. Heyward and Watt are the captains. I'm sure Jalen Ramsey will let his voice be heard. But the guy who combines the backend with the front seven is Patrick Queen. A Pro Bowl MLB who I fully expect to level up off his inaugural season in the Black and Gold.
After all, this is not a player whom the Steelers asked to play a small role. He was the richest free agent acquisition in the history of the franchise. The middle linebacker and the tradition of that position runs deep in Pittsburgh.
He's the best player they have had there since Ryan Shazier.
It's time for him to fully embrace it.
![Dec 1, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. ]](https://atozsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/99857-usatsi_24886683-1.jpg)
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