The tension in Pittsburgh isn’t just on the field right now-it’s spilling over into social media. Former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex took to X (formerly Twitter) during Sunday’s 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills to voice his frustrations with linebacker Patrick Queen.
And Queen? He didn’t let it slide.
Let’s start with what Essex said. He didn’t hold back, calling Queen a poor fit for the Steelers' linebacker legacy.
Essex wrote, *“He’s hurt, but I’m over the Patrick Queen experiment. Simply put, he’s not a Steelers LB.
He’s not Farrior. He’s not Timmons.
He’s not Shazier. He doesn’t play with that disposition.
We missed on that signing. And for our main rival to let him leave, shoulda been a sign.”
That’s a bold statement, especially considering the history of linebackers in Pittsburgh. Farrior, Timmons, Shazier-those are names that carry weight in the Steel City.
They weren’t just productive; they embodied the physical, no-nonsense identity that’s defined the Steelers’ defense for decades. Essex is essentially saying Queen doesn’t fit that mold.
Queen, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, fired back quickly. *“Never was a pro bowler or all pro but get on here yappin.
Got carried your whole career back n forth from the bench stfu!” * he wrote in response.
That’s not just a clapback-that’s a full-on blitz.
When a fan chimed in to question why Queen would even engage with a former player on social media, Queen doubled down, defending both his right to respond and his recent play: “Oh right cause only fans are allowed to tweet got it! Haven’t missed a tackle in 3 games and it’s part of the game your favorite players off all time missed them too.”
To Queen’s credit, he’s not wrong about the tackling. Earlier in the season, missed tackles were a real issue for him-something that stood out in film and the box score.
But in recent weeks, he’s cleaned that up. He’s been more disciplined, more sure-handed, and more consistent in pursuit.
That’s a good sign, especially for a player who came to Pittsburgh with high expectations after crossing over from the division-rival Ravens.
Still, the frustration from fans and former players like Essex isn’t just about Queen-it’s about the defense as a whole. This was supposed to be a dominant unit.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said as much in the offseason, hyping up the defense’s potential to do “historic things.” But so far in 2025, that promise feels far away.
The Steelers have struggled to generate pressure consistently, the tackling has been spotty, and the secondary has been exposed more than once.
And while Queen may be improving, the defense as a whole hasn’t lived up to the standard Pittsburgh holds itself to. That’s where the real disconnect lies. It’s not just about one guy-it’s about a defense that was supposed to be the heartbeat of this team, and right now, it’s flatlining.
Despite all that, the Steelers are still technically in the hunt. The AFC North remains a dogfight, and Pittsburgh isn’t out of the race just yet.
But let’s be real: based on what we’ve seen from both sides of the ball, this team doesn’t look built for a deep playoff run. The offense is inconsistent, the defense is underachieving, and there’s a growing sense that something’s got to give.
Looking ahead to 2026, don’t be surprised if that “something” includes major roster changes. Queen, who signed a one-year deal this past offseason, could find himself on the chopping block if the front office decides to hit the reset button. His recent improvement might help his case, but if the Steelers are serious about reestablishing their defensive identity, they’ll be evaluating every piece-especially the ones brought in to be difference-makers.
For now, the back-and-forth between Essex and Queen is just the latest example of the heat surrounding this team. The expectations in Pittsburgh aren’t just high-they’re historic.
And when you don’t meet them, people notice. Inside the locker room, on the sidelines, and yes, even on social media.