Will the Steelers trade Patrick Queen?
Some on the Cowboys beat are closely watching Steelers ILB Patrick Queen, marking his as a potential trade target. Dallas is desperate for help at the position, and the market is quickly drying up. Reportedly, they are not the only team showing interest in the Steelers defender, however.
Pittsburgh signed Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract in 2024. He has played two seasons, largely representing himself well, but perhaps not living up to his contract. With an almost entirely new coaching staff, however, they have fewer ties to him. The front office that traded for him is the same, but Mike Tomlin and his staff is gone.
Except for, of course, Patrick Queen’s position coach, as new Steelers HC Mike McCarthy retained Scott McCurley. But Pittsburgh has already re-signed Cole Holcomb. The Steelers have Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, and Carson Bruener at inside linebacker as well. Between Wilson, Harrison, and Holcomb, do they believe they have enough on defense?
The Steelers’ willingness to trade Patrick Queen will surely center on what they can get for him. They’re already showing signs of playing the compensatory formula game again, so they’re interested in the acquisition of draft picks. Even in the agreed-to trade for Michael Pittman Jr., they’re merely swapping late-rounders.
What if the Cowboys were willing to give up a fourth-round pick for Patrick Queen, though? Would Pittsburgh take that offer, or would it need even more than that? Last year, the Steelers waited out the Cowboys until they were willing to give them a third-round pick for George Pickens after the 2025 NFL Draft.
The thing is, this is a pretty solid draft class for inside linebackers. But if a team fails to come away with a starting candidate and still needs one, the Steelers’ phones could be ringing for Queen even in May. And right now, they’re probably more focused on 2027’s draft haul than this year’s, given the quarterback class.
There isn’t always fire when smoke is present. But there does seem to be some smoke when it comes to Patrick Queen and the Steelers potentially entertaining a trade offer. There’s no harm in them listening. IN 2026, Queen is due a $10,830,000 base salary, plus a $2.5 million bonus. And that bonus is due March 15, so if they move him, they’ll want to do it soon. But if the right offer comes along in May—especially if they drafted a linebacker—would they say no?
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017. With seven consecutive postseason losses, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin resigning.
The NFL has crowned its latest champion, but for us and the Steelers, we have been in offseason mode. That’s what happens when the team you cover loses by the middle of January all the time, but you’ve been around, so you know that already. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.