Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen was one of the first players to react to Minkah Fitzpatrick being traded to the Miami Dolphins in Monday’s blockbuster trade.
“Only got one year with ya 39 but your approach to be the best everyday was definitely contagious. Best of luck back in Miami,” Queen wrote on X.
A fan in the comments said, “It was him that was out of position wasn’t it?” Queen had a simply message back, “No.”
Only got one year with ya 39 but your approach to be the best everyday was definitely contagious. Best of luck back in Miami🤞🏽 pic.twitter.com/KGMR6O4PXu
— 🦈 (@Patrickqueen_) June 30, 2025
The Steelers had a slew of communication breakdowns down the stretch last season, especially in their 29-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.
“First off, guys can’t be [expletive] wide open. That’s the first thing. Just do your job,” Steelers strong safety DeShon Elliott said. “I thought we were communicating, [but] guys weren’t doing their frickin’ job.”
Queen was also perplexed by the lack of communication on defense.
“Can’t explain it, it’s happening. We keep talking about it. Nobody is doing a thing about it. If nobody does anything about what they are supposed to be doing then we don’t have any room for it,” Queen said. ”I don’t know if we have to keep saying it. We have said it the last two or three weeks. It is at a point where you realize it and go out there and play fast and play physical and do your job.”
Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette claimed that a lot of the communication issues stemmed from Fitzpatrick, and that’s why he was traded.
“[Ray Fittipaldo] says on [93.7 The Fan] that the Steelers communication issues and chemistry issues on defense were due in large part to Minkah Fitzpatrick,” Andrew Filliponi of 93.7 The Fan wrote on X.
“A lot of that was Minkah,” Fittipaldo said, per Filliponi.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed that trading Fitzpatrick was not a big priority for the Steelers this offseason, but they were not pleased with the lack of splash plays.
“Steelers were not actively trying to trade Minkah Fitzpatrick, but they were willing to listen to any team who showed interest,” Dulac posted on X. “They felt the absence of splash plays the past two years was not commensurate with what they were paying him.”
Fitzpatrick had six interceptions in 2022 (tied for first in the NFL) and had 11 over his first three seasons in Pittsburgh. He also had three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries from 2019-21. Over his first four seasons, he had 24 splash plays over 51 games.
Over the last two seasons, he had just one interception, no forced fumbles and no fumble recoveries over 27 games.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers LB Patrick Queen Shuts Down Narrative Attached to Minkah Fitzpatrick
