The Steelers have been a heavy Cover 3 team, which is not exactly the favorite of ILB Patrick Queen. At least, he believes it poses specific challenges. While new DC Patrick Graham is more flexible in his coverage choices, it may remain their primary look. Despite the issues with the coverage scheme, however, there’s a reason it remains prevalent in the NFL.
The Steelers used Cover 3 about 31 percent of the time last season, which ranks toward the middle of the pack in the NFL. They also ranked high in Cover 1, but in general had a more flexible series of coverages than many teams. While Patrick Queen didn’t speak against the Cover 3, however, he did admit that it’s a tough assignment.
“It’s hard. I think Cover 3 is the hardest coverage to play, because it’s so much”, Queen told former Steelers DL Breiden Fehoko on his new podcast. “It’s repetitive, for one. You’ve seen it since third grade, and it’s just a lot of no-man’s land. I think 3 Match is great versus certain concepts. But, it’s tough”.
At its core, the Cover 3 is a zone scheme involving three deep coverage defenders, generally two cornerbacks and one safety, but the Steelers like to vary looks, and Jalen Ramsey can be a big part of that. There are typically four underneath defenders covering short and intermediate zones, which are particular stress points for the defense. Patrick Queen has grown in his adeptness in zone coverage, but it’s a defense that really relies on everybody knowing what they’re doing. That hasn’t always been in the case of late in Pittsburgh, and Queen is that hub of communication. And, frankly, he had plenty of issues of his own in coverage just last season.
Now, the Steelers have actually done well in Cover 3 in terms of passer rating allowed, so it obviously works. It’s a more conservative coverage, designed to keep defenders up front against the run while also preventing the deep pass over the top. But in between is where it creates pockets that better quarterbacks can exploit. And one of them is Joe Burrow, Patrick Queen discussing some of the issues the Bengals have given them.
“If y’all don’t know Cincinnati, Cincinnati always hits Tee Higgins on that curl, skinny post, whatever you want to call it. So that’s the hardest stuff to guard in Cover 3 because you’re limited in no-man’s land”, Queen said. “If I go left, he throws right. If I go right, he throws left. But you’ve got to be rotating as a defense. But the thing is, you can rotate, boom, he hits you with a pump [fake], then come back, he’s open”.
Of course, having elite talents like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are an advantage in beating any coverage any defense in the NFL can throw at you. As a middle linebacker, though, Patrick Queen’s job is particularly challenging in a Cover 3 look. You’re faced with a wide array of potential responsibilities, and a good offense will know how to exploit that.