Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen has been named to the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games. He replaces Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, who opted out.
It’s the second year in a row that Queen will go to the Pro Bowl. He went as an alternate in 2023, as well.
Queen joins seven other Pittsburgh players named to the Pro Bowl in kicker Chris Boswell, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, linebacker T.J. Watt, special teams ace Miles Killebrew, left guard Isaac Seumalo and quarterback Russell Wilson. Killebrew, Seumalo and Wilson also are replacements.
Watt pulled out of the Pro Bowl due to injury, while Steelers special teamer Miles Killebrew will serve as an injury replacement for New England Patriots special teamer Brenden Schooler. Isaac Seumalo replaced Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith, who will play in the Super Bowl. Wilson replaced Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
The Steelers are now tied with the Detroit Lions with the second-most players (8) in the Pro Bowl. The Baltimore Ravens had the most with 11, followed by the Lions and the Steelers and Minnesota Vikings with seven.
Queen signed a three-year, $41 million contract with the Steelers last offseason — the highest-paid free agent contract in team history. He was solid for the most part in his first year with the Steelers, as he led the team with 129 tackles. But there was also some inconsistent performances. Pro Football Focus tabbed Queen as the Steelers worst signing in the 2024 free agency cycle.
“Queen was the Steelers’ most expensive free agent signing, but he was among their least productive,” PFF’s Dalton Wasserman writes. “He earned a 56.8 overall grade, significantly lower than either of his final two seasons in Baltimore. The Steelers will need him to improve next season so they don’t have to rely solely on their stellar defensive line to carry them to success.”
Queen’s best game of the year came in the team’s Week 11 win over the Ravens, as he led the Steelers with 10 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a tackle for loss. Queen’s forced fumble and recovery late in the second quarter was a crucial play in the game, as it resulted in a Chris Boswell 32-yard field goal to give the Steelers a 9-7 lead at halftime. The Steelers probably don’t beat the Ravens in Week 11 without Queen’s strip on Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Queen had the flu in the Wild Card loss to the Ravens. Queen had to received four IV bags before the game, in which he totaled 10 tackles, six being solo efforts.
