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Steelers get clear update on Patrick Queen’s future.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to keep star linebacker Patrick Queen amid trade rumors.
Queen’s name has come up in trade rumors this offseason as he’s entering the final year of his three-year, $41 million deal. Although Queen is a key part of the Steelers’ defense, multiple teams would have interest in trading for him.
However, Steelers insider Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reported on March 17 that Pittsburgh trading Queen is unlikely.
“While reports surfaced that Queen could be on the trading block, my sense is that was more rumor than reality,” DeFabo wrote. “Queen remains the do-everything, three-down backer who will wear the green dot and call the defense. Beside him, they’ll likely deploy a similar rotation to years past.
“On run downs, a more physical, downhill linebacker like Harrison will be next to Queen. In sub packages, Wilson’s coverage ability can shine. Still, I wonder if they may look at this group in the draft, especially as an upgrade to Harrison. The inside linebacker position is among the deepest and most talented in the 2026 class.”
Queen is entering his seventh season in the NFL and is just 26 years old, and is an impact linebacker. So, with the Steelers looking to compete for an AFC North crown, DeFabo expects Queen to play out the final year of his deal.
Queen recorded 120 tackles last season with the Steelers.
Queen’s Name Has Come up in Trade Rumors
Although Queen is an impactful linebacker for the Steelers, his name has come up in trade rumors.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris reported that the Steelers are set to trade Queen, but the Dallas Cowboys won’t be the team landing him.
“After a down year in 2025, Pittsburgh and Queen are expected to part ways this offseason, and a trade seems imminent for the former first-round pick,” Harris wrote on Friday. “Dallas had some intrigue in the building, but the team officially pulled out of its preliminary interest Thursday afternoon.”
Meanwhile, Steelers insider Gerry Dulac also echoed DeFabo’s claims that Queen being traded is just a rumor and won’t happen.
“I don’t quite get the fans’ discontent with Queen. It is not shared by the Steelers,” Dulac wrote in a fan chat Wednesday for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Teams get offers all the time. The Steelers got them last year about T.J. Watt. Here’s what I make of ’em — they’re rumors.”
Queen is a two-time Pro Bowler.
Mike McCarthy ‘Excited’ About Steelers Defense
The Steelers parted ways with Mike Tomlin as their head coach and replaced him with Mike McCarthy.
McCarthy won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers and is eager to coach his hometown team. He is also excited to coach the Steelers defense, which he knows is one of the best in the NFL.
“Defense wins championships,” McCarthy said. … “I’m really excited about the defense, great seeing Alex here. The history of the Steelers defense and staying with the 3-4 is important as far as the origin of it, and that’s something we can build off. I’ve been a head coach 18 years, I’ve had one Top 5 defense, and we won a Super Bowl that year. The importance of defense is critical.”
Pittsburgh’s defense will be liked by TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Queen among others.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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