Patrick Queen Calls Out Issues After Steelers’ Costly Loss to Bears

The Pittsburgh Steelers watched their AFC North hopes slip on Sunday after a tough 31–28 loss to the Chicago Bears. While the Ravens took care of business, frustration grew inside the Steelers’ locker room. Linebacker Patrick Queen didn’t hide how he felt and pointed to some of the coaching decisions as part of the problem.

Patrick Queen talked about problems with their coverage plan. He said the Steelers kept putting two defenders in a tough spot, asking them to watch too many routes at the same time. He also said the players still have to perform, but it was clear he wasn’t happy with how the defense was set up.

“We just have to be better,” Queen said. “Sometimes the issues were in the scheme. It’s hard for two underneath defenders to cover two routes. It puts you in a bad spot, but we still have to be better.”

One of the biggest mistakes came on DJ Moore’s second touchdown. That play changed the momentum and gave Chicago a 24–21 lead. The Steelers blew the coverage and left Moore wide open up the middle as defenders tried to cover multiple deep routes. It looked messy, and the Bears took full advantage.

On paper, Pittsburgh’s defense should be one of the best in the league. It’s also the most expensive defensive unit in the NFL. But the group has not lived up to expectations. The offense has its own issues without a true No. 1 receiver, but the defense was supposed to help carry the team. Instead, it has been inconsistent all year.

There have been moments where the defense shows its potential, but those moments never last long. If the Steelers want even a small chance at the playoffs, Queen and the rest of the defense must step up fast.

Patrick Queen’s comments came on the same night another decision raised questions: Mike Tomlin’s choice to punt on fourth-and-short late in the fourth quarter while trailing by three.

Mike Tomlin Explains His Late-Game Decision

Tomlin stood by the call after the game. He said he wanted to save all three timeouts, trust the defense, and avoid giving the Bears a short field if the fourth-down attempt failed.

But things fell apart quickly. Cornerback James Pierre got hurt during a stopped clock, and because of the timing, the Steelers were forced to use a timeout anyway. That wiped out the main reason Tomlin chose to punt in the first place.

Maybe going for it would have changed the result. Maybe it wouldn’t. But now the Steelers are in a tough spot, and the division looks like it’s drifting toward Baltimore. Pittsburgh needs answers fast, or its season could slip away for good.

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