Steelers Linebackers Payton Wilson, Patrick Queen a Potential Elite Combo | Keys to a Top 10 Defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers made major investments to improve at linebacker by signing Patrick Queen and drafting Payton Wilson. Could they become and elite combo at linebacker for the defense? Chris Carter and Alan Saunders think there's serious potential for both players, but point out questions about how they'd fit together in an NFL defense and the challenges they'd face.
Also, the Steelers have been a top 10 scoring defense in the NFL for four of the last five years. But what could be the biggest obstacles in the way of continuing that trend in 2024? And who could be the top three rising stars on defense to ascend the unit to a new level? Joey Porter Jr.? Keeanu Benton? More on that in today's episode.
Steelers Linebackers Payton Wilson, Patrick Queen a Potential Elite Combo | Keys to a Top 10 Defense / @lockedonsteelers
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[@lucaiswallace]

Chris, your talk about having the best edge rusher in football brought back the hurt of TJ's DPOY snubs. He deserves better recognition. The man is a straight BEAST! I never thought I'd see a player I'd rather have rushing a QB than Deebo, but man... TJ is that guy. Cherish all the snaps baby!

[@Arrielle75]

Need to start blitzing the ILB more ...Payton Wilson & Patrick Queen are excellent blitzing LBs

[@levidiaz3074]

Better be able to box Travis as well. Man coverage would be a plus+

[@ms8742]

I have watched Wilson for 5 years at NC State and have met him multiple times.. He is the best college LB this year easily. If he can hold up, he will be a huge game changer for the Steelers. What is unique about Payton is his ability to make all types of plays all over the field along with a warrior mentality. This dude will be spitting fire from the first snap. If you saw any of his college games, he was always in the face of the other team. That is just how he plays and can back it up with crazy athleticism and good size. He just needs to stay healthy and Steeler nation will love him. Dude is a flat out warrior.

[@metalanarchy5186]

Sounds a lot like Shaizer but bigger Shaizer may have been the fastest LB I've ever seen play the game one year he beat are wide outs in a foot Race and he could do it all but Payton is bigger we thought we had that with Bush who was a lot smaller

[@fumbled]

Like Jack Lambert?

[@tiemann55]

Keanu Benton is about to be a mega star on this defense

[@joshpatterson876]

Wilson plays fast and hard, not just an athlete running drills.. that’s what catches my eye with the on field stuff. His game speed and brains being able to break down a play on the go.. he will thrive with the Steelers

[@yeathatsright369]

I'd like to see more zone blitz and zone running on offense

[@tajzikria5307]

Hair on fire!😊

[@christopherquarry6234]

One of my favorite players, Payton loves and praises Jesus Christ for everything he does and I agree with him, he plays like his hair is on fire and works out the same way and just glad we’ve addressed the inside linebacker position as much as we’ve done even with the other talented players we have, he’s going to be a great Steeler and the true meaning of what a true Steeler is!!

[@christopherquarry6234]

@SteelerzReignSupremeII why what’s wrong with saying I like what he said about praising Jesus Christ, who let a ravens fan in here? Just listen to Troy Polamalu speech at the hall of fame acceptance ceremony and hear it for yourself, this country was built outta freedom of religion and speech so don’t you ever think that I’m going to stop talking about it if I so choose to, your no Steelers fan you’re a fake and I’m sry that your girlfriend broke up with you or something and you chose me to take it out on, I got 17 likes to your freaking zero pal pal buttercup, so take a big sip of my god and country and the my Pittsburgh Steelers loving a..and shut the eff up with your woke a.. nonsense and negative comments, seems like everyone else has good vibes about it- supersmelly highlighted stupid reply come up with something that actually helps and makes sense about the conversation instead of taking the easy way and bashing someone who is just passionate about Jesus Christ and the Steelers, so you freaking stop it not me jackwagon!! Go Steelers and praise Jesus Christ!! Amen!!🙏

[@christopherquarry6234]

This country was built on freedom of religion and free speech, so you freaking stop with the stupid religion comments that you don’t understand and or like

[@tomwhaley400]

Great, intelligent, creative conversation. I'm tuned in to both of your top 3 new difference makers on D, but I can't wait to see what Payton Wilson has to bring to it

[@dougallen1769]

This LB Corp of starters & depth could be historically good. OLB TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig ILB Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson I think Ryan Watts could develop into a Starting Strong Safety

[@ROBSwank-pm1vd]

Totally Agree . If we can stay healthy look the F .. out !!! Looking dominant on paper n stats soo far .. we shall see !! 😎

[@brianposner3204]

Another great LB room, like the '70s ,'90s and the otts.

[@noland7827]

Herbig gonna be a stud

[@davecolvin310]

Yeah.i think it's more like queen and roberts.love Payton Wilson but Roberts is a pure run stuffer.so Wilson will try to make his mark.i have a feeling it will be mostly on special teams.curious to see how Wilson plays against the bigs.its not gonna be like playing east Carolina. But definitely adds depth

[@kingcaine9119]

Hell fit perfectly.

[@acgonzales7]

Simply having an offense that doesn't rank in the bottom 3rd of most categories should help this defense. They may be showing faith in guys like Herbig, Trice and even Rush to step into bigger roles on defense if they don't re-sign some of their quality FAs.

[@user-yy5rh5sj2l]

Elijah Riley. He made the team last year, yet isn't mentioned in a discussion of defensive back depth ... Please discuss his potential role.

[@MrFreshEdition]

Wilson is going to change the dynamics of the Steelers Defense. He will shut down the TE's and RB's which will allow Minkah to be Minkah a Ball Hawk! The Closest ILB we have had with similar skills to Ryan Shazier! The final piece to the puzzle is Justin Simmons, Calias Campbell, Cam Sutton and Golden. If the Steelers sign them, we will have the number one Defense in the NFL.

[@dylana.601]

I’m Pissed the Eagles signed JPJ’s cousin Shon stevens… We invited him to minicamp but I guess it didn’t workout.

[@Harvey-gq1ve]

This could be like a Ham and Lambert

[@kingsteelers1]

Chris my thought on if this defense can be elite. I believe the main reason we've dealt with the injuries over the past couple of years is that our offense has been so weak and we relied on the defense far too much. The defense was on the field more than the offense in some games. If the offense can control the ball and put points on the board which would allow the defense to stay on the sideline and rest, this will make this defense elite. Could you imagine facing a well-rested Steelers D every time you come on the field?

[@johnlombardi1021]

have good backups when core players get injuries

[@yeathatsright369]

Keeps the starters fresh throughout the year

[@jstoudanime1880]

Thanks for stating the obvious Alan if Watt and Alex struggle of course it's going to be tough. Every team can say if they have no pass rush they would struggle on D

[@AustinPowerz817]

😂😂😂

[@matthewblodgett1789]

Guys a joke.

[@brianposner3204]

He was asked a question and answered it very well.

[@markzupsic6453]

Saunders you are so Debbie Downer I believe you're so wrong about Wilson did there's going to be a stud and every damn linebacker❤

[@bigcatdriver4231]

I'm sick of seeing this dude in here fr.

[@jamesmanclark6178]

What he said about Wilson you can say about every player that comes into the league. We'll see. But God I love what I have seen of Wilson on tape.

[@cjcolaizzi1213]

There still are some good outside LB available the Steelers could add before camp but... unless they trade for another WR there isn't much left except for Zay Jones but I'm excited for what this ILB group can be

[@peterbear9525]

Luv your takes bro fking excite me damn i luv This game!!!

[@danielwright9113]

Arrielle got it right. Blitz the inside lb. And please, bring back the screen pass, wr screens and rb screens

[@georgerodgers2732]

A smart defensive coordinator finds a place for a gem like Payton Wilson

[@jamescohen45]

Go get Kwan Alexander

[@KevinPrimus]

I didn’t even realize sharks had PTO!

[@user-yy5rh5sj2l]

What the heck, guys! WHAT KIND OF SHARK?!! HOW BIG WAS IT?!!

[@AFL67pitt]

If you have a Mack and a Buck rolls are defined, but what if both can cover both can blitz up the middle and both are decent if not great at stuffing the run . Sooooo…. What are you going to do as an offense that doesn’t know who’s blitzing doesn’t know who’s dropping into coverage. Sounds pretty good to me

[@dylana.601]

I believe this will be one of the best LB duos in the league. But I must admit having 41 & 6 next to each other is going to look so ugly numbers wise. They should have let Payton keep 11. 11 & 6 would look way better.

[@OmaAlkebulan-grace]

Next year Build up the D-line and Secondary!!!

[@metalanarchy5186]

I for sure excited about are linebackers but I'm also excited about are secondary we a real strong safety so Minhka can go back to doing what he does best being and ED Reed type safety watching Joey Porter JR take that next step in year 2 I think D.j. is a soild CB but I'm really excited for a healthy Corey Trice and I really like Beanie Bishob he is got some simularitys with my boy Mike Hilto the best NCB in the game and I hear good things about about Watts this defensive is gonna be better than they were the last couple of year and are D is what put us in the playoffs 2 out of the last 3 and that running game should be better and we got a great tight end room and somme big play guys at wide out I'm thinking we are already better than a lot of people think

[@03Man11]

“If TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith goes down, will he be able to provide their level of contribution?” 🤣 Sometimes this analysis is a joke. TJ is likely a first ballot hall of famer. You can’t replace people like that regardless of what depth you may think you have. Cam may be a hall of famer at some point. Those types of players are not replaceable.

[@MrFreshEdition]

Larry O and Cam played injured in 2023; this is why we need to sign Calais Campbell. And add Justin Simmons to the Safety room due to unforeseen circumstances and injuries ala 2023.

[@TheNycKraken]

come up with something different than absolutely, you can say I agree, agreed, dam right, on the money. just break it up. I love your show.

[@ROBSwank-pm1vd]

Your analogy was great... but he wasn't an expensive diamond ...more of a lucky find ..that looked like a rock but once dusted off is a glowing diamond ready for that expensive jewelry placement !! Only time ..coaching n his durability to last (at his size) .. will Tell !! 🙄😎

[@georgerodgers2732]

Baby 🦈

[@levidiaz3074]

Watt and Fitzpatrick shut down options 1 and 2 ... strategically and theoretically that third player should be a robber type player. Benefitting from a natural progression. Assuming the other players disrupt the matrix, so to speak 🤔😅🤓

[@georgerodgers2732]

Dick Butkus Award Winner as the best linebacker in college football and defensive player of the year.

[@SilverSteeler72]

Personally I think Herbig would be an upgrade over Highsmith if he gets hurt.

[@s.i.rschwertz9154]

Anyone else been thinking maybe he could slide over and play the Nickel corner ?

[@metalanarchy5186]

Don't forget Elden Roberts to he played at a high level when he was health in favt I feel like we 6 or 7 starting calaber line backers 3 proven super stars one that is all time great and in my opiono the best player in football in T.J Watt and than on the otherside Highsmith and Herbinger I would like to bring back Golden to or let Elden be a swing backer that plays everwhere and are main two mid backers Patrick Queen and Payton

[@georgerodgers2732]

Baby shark 🦈 baby 🦈 lalalala

[@user-oy7ec1np8v]

Back to the shark always catch and cook

[@squanchzi9796]

Payton Wilson worries me… he has no ACL!!

[@kevinscott5718]

He will get torched in the nfl

[@markzupsic6453]

Oh yeah saunders and you could show a little respect to your partner and improve your appearance😂😂❤

[@carltonclaboine2855]

So while y’all are trying to make the comparison that he’s like Ryan Shazier. I hope he would learn from Ryan Shazier on how not to tackle in the NFL because size does matter on a NFL field.

[@tiemann55]

The whole league is on this cover 2 , bend but don’t break defense

[@carltonclaboine2855]

These commentators and the Pittsburgh Steeler coaching staff is the reason why Ryan Shazier is not playing in the NFL. Let me start off by saying that Ryan Shazier was too small to be playing middle linebacker. That’s why every time he wanted to make a big hit, he would always lead with his helmet. Can somebody please tell me why the coaching staff didn’t pick up on this, when they watch film on the players everyday? If I were teaching a class on how not to tackle in the NFL, Ryan Shazier would be a prime candidate. Let this sink in for a minute. Ryan Shazier was not bigger than most strong safeties in the NFL and you had the audacity to play him at middle linebacker.

[@yeathatsright369]

I think he was listed 6'1 235. He was all muscle

[@bigcatdriver4231]

NEGATIVE Saundersssssss!! Quit bringing this dude on the podcast bro

[@Ohmlaws]

Are we missing the shoulder n knee surgeries? That ILB is a dog position very physical

[@richardmorrison-zo6gw]

Alan needs to go back on vacation. So negative