T.J. Watt Looks Forward to Building Continuity with Patrick Queen at Training Camp
UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt is encouraged by what he’s seen from new inside linebacker Patrick Queen thus far. He believes Queen is as advertised.
The Steelers gave Queen the largest free-agent deal in franchise history by almost $5 million annually this offseason.
With the lucrative contract, the expectations for Queen with the Steelers are considerably high. They expect him to be a sideline-to-sideline linebacker, similar to how Ryan Shazier was several years ago.
In 2023, Queen played in all 17 games with the Baltimore Ravens, racking up 133 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hits, six passes defended, one interception and one forced fumble. He was named a second-team All-Pro and was selected to the AFC Pro Bowl squad, his first career honor in each category.
“(He is) fast, very fast, quick,” Watt said on report day at Saint Vincent College. “Just to be able to have speed like that on the defensive side of the ball, sideline to sideline as an inside linebacker, is a huge asset. And then to be able to have a guy who can wear the green dot and be really well in communication, that’s what we’re here for.”
Watt looks forward to building camaraderie with Queen at training camp over the next three weeks, especially when the pads come on. He got a glimpse of Queen’s talent at OTAs and minicamp, but it will be a whole different level when the pads start popping.
“It’s all about when the pads come on. You guys all know that at this point. But I’m just excited to continue to grow. The defense needs continuity on and off the field. So that’s what being here in these dorm rooms is all about,” he said.
Overall, Watt likes what the Steelers have done this offseason with the defensive additions of Queen, cornerback Donte Jackson, safety DeShaun Elliott and rookie inside linebacker Payton Wilson.
“We acquired some talent obviously in the draft and free agency and to see another year from the younger guys that are going to continue to get better and grow in the system,” Watt said. “The more that we’re able to grow together, especially on the defensive side, the better we are going to be.”
Watt believes the Steelers can be an elite unit on defense. It’s just about getting the fundamentals right and everyone doing their job.
“We have to stop the run, get after the quarterback. Take the ball away,” he said. “All the things that seem so common and easy, aren’t easy at this level. And that’s why it’s all about every man doing their job, not trying to do too much, basic stuff. But it’s very hard to do week in and week out.”
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Unity Twp.
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