Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen earned a Pro Bowl nod in his first season with the team, a second-straight honor for him. However, while he was in Orlando, he found out that inside linebackers coach Aaron Curry would be departing the Steelers organization and heading to the New York Jets under Aaron Glenn.
Speaking to Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, Queen reacted to Curry’s departure, stating it sucks to lose Curry, but it was all for the best in Curry’s career.
Happy for him and excited for him,” Queen said to Saunders. “I texted him that it was the best decision for him right now and I can understand that… It definitely sucks to have a new linebackers coach coming in, but I’m pretty sure they’re going to bring in somebody good. Nothing but respect for him.”
Queen said he learned to be a leader under the guidance of Curry. The Steelers brought in Queen to be the green dot, but it was the first time in two seasons that he had been calling the shots. He once had that role in Baltimore, but Roquan Smith settled things down when he came in, and it allowed Queen to soar.
“[He taught me] how to be a leader,” Queen said. “When situations aren’t ideal, just stay cool and stay calm, especially having to be the guy being the green dot, just being calm and keeping everyone else calm. I was always the hot-headed one, the tempered one.”
Queen had 129 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles this season. However, he had some rocky up-and-down play that has not panned out for the Steelers. Entering the second year of a big three-year deal, Queen will hope to bounce back under a new coach.
