Trai Essex Criticized Pittsburgh Steelers Linebackers
Former lineman Trai Essex challenged the recent defensive performance of Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Football
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex has publicly criticized the team's linebackers following recent defensive struggles. The critiques surfaced as the Steelers currently hold a 3-2 record after five games.
Why it matters
The performance of the middle of the defense is critical as the team balances its zone coverage schemes while relying on individual tackling efficiency. Essex highlighted concerns regarding the current ability of the linebackers to square up opponents effectively.
Payton Wilson has allowed completions on 18 of 25 passes with a 95.7 passer rating against him, while Patrick Queen allowed 12 of 23 completions with a 49.7 passer rating against him. These metrics represent performance across the team's current 3-2 record.
The players
Trai Essex
He is a former professional football offensive lineman who spent the majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Payton Wilson
He is a current linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers who is currently navigating his performance metrics through his first five games.
Patrick Queen
He is a veteran linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers currently playing in the final year of his contract.
The details
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has been criticized for relying on tackles recorded from the side or behind, which has contributed to high miss rates. Essex targeted the inconsistency in technique as the unit struggles to maintain the standard required for the team's zone coverage schemes.
Timeline
The Steelers held a 3-2 record after five games through October 12, 2026.
The Steelers struggled defensively during Week 4 of the 2026 season against Cleveland.
Patrick Queen will face contract decisions heading into the 2026 offseason.
Payton Wilson is scheduled for a potential contract extension evaluation in the 2026 offseason.
Season Trajectory
This critique adds pressure to the defensive unit's role in the Steelers' 3-2 start and may influence personnel decisions as the team nears the season midpoint. It complicates the team's playoff outlook by calling into question the reliability of key starters in the middle of the field.
Patrick Queen is playing in the final year of his contract, meaning his missed tackle rate directly influences his upcoming market value. Payton Wilson's passer rating against him of 95.7 serves as a key indicator of his current effectiveness in the team's zone-heavy defensive scheme.
The takeaway
Reliable tackling remains a fundamental necessity for maintaining defensive consistency in zone-heavy systems. Players and fans should watch for adjustments in technical approach during upcoming games to see if the secondary and linebacker performance stabilizes.
Further reading
For more on the team's defensive alignment and personnel, visit Pittsburgh Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Steelers Depot.
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