Steelers' Patrick Queen praises rookie LB: 'The sky’s the limit for him'

The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) have had one of the best defenses in the NFL through the first seven weeks of the season, thanks to their veterans and young players.

In the Steelers' 37-15 win against the New York Jets (2-5) in Week 7, rookie linebacker Payton Wilson led the team in tackles (nine) while only playing 54 percent of the snaps.

Veteran linebacker Patrick Queen wasn't surprised, though.

"Not with somebody like him. I think he has that ability," Queen said. "Just to be able to see him do that is big, but just knowing that his play can get even better, that's the scary part."

Many gave Wilson, a third-round pick (No. 98) in the 2024 NFL Draft, a first-round grade, but he fell many draft boards due to his extensive medical history.

However, Pittsburgh was willing to take a chance on the NC State product, and it has already reaped the benefits, as he's registered 36 tackles as a rotational linebacker.

Queen thinks Wilson can get a lot better, too.

"We understand he's a rookie," Queen added. "The sky's the limit for him."

Wilson is just trying to soak up as much knowledge as he can every day and acknowledges that he wouldn't be where he's already at if it weren't for veterans like Queen around him.

"There's no egos in the room, so just the tips and the tendencies they give me each week," said Wilson. "I'm out there with P.Q. He's talking to me sometimes, letting me know what play's coming. Credit to those guys."

Still, the 24-year-old isn't like most rookies. He seems wise beyond his years and has the production to back it up.

In 2023, Wilson won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defender in the country and the Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker after registering 138 total tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, three interceptions and six passes defensed.

That's why he doesn't want to be treated like any other rookie.

"It's obviously still slowing down, every single rep, every practice, but I've kinda had the mentality since camp started that I don't want to really be looked at as a rookie," Wilson continued. "I want to be held to the same standard as someone who's been here for 10 years."

Wilson will unlikely get that wish, but he exceeded expectations less than halfway through his rookie year.

The Steelers hope to continue seeing Wilson grow in Week 8 when they host the New York Giants (2-5) on "Monday Night Football."

Pittsburgh will be favored in this matchup, but Queen is making sure his team doesn't overlook them.

"It's the NFL. They here for a reason. So I don't look at the whole record and all this and that stuff. Every single guy on that team got to the NFL for a reason," concluded Queen. "We all know what's at stake."

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.