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The Fort-Worth Star Telegram’s Nick Harris reported the Dallas Cowboys are among a few teams who have called the Pittsburgh Steelers about linebacker Patrick Queen.
A lot of the top free agent linebackers agreed to new contracts Monday. For any teams who didn’t land one of those coveted free agents, they are now pivoting to Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen.
That’s what The Fort-Worth Star Telegram’s Nick Harris reported late Monday while adding the Dallas Cowboys as a leading candidate to trade for Queen.
“I’m keeping an eye on Patrick Queen at the moment,” Harris wrote on X. “A handful of teams have called Pittsburgh about a trade here (including the Eagles). Dallas has kept a hand in that mix for this exact scenario, but there are still some things to work through and conversations behind the scenes to be had there.
“Sounds like Pittsburgh is hunting down a mid-round pick.”
Harris was the second reporter to suggest the Cowboys are interested in Queen. NFL Network’s Jane Slater mentioned Queen as a trade target as well.
“I can tell you the Cowboys were still talking to Lloyd when I checked in at 7:30 tonight but there was a sense his price was gonna be a little high for them,” wrote Slater.
“Patrick Queen still one I’m watching.”
Queen signed a 3-year, $41 million contract with the Steelers two years ago. It was the most expensive free agent contract in the team’s history.
Over the past two years, Queen has started every game for the Steelers. During 2024, he made his second straight Pro Bowl. The linebacker also earned second-team All-Pro honors with the Baltimore Ravens during 2023.
During 2025, Queen posted 120 combined tackles, including eight for loss. He also had five quarterback hits, four pass defenses and one sack.
Entering 2026, Queen has one year remaining on his contract. He will have about a $17.2 million cap hit this fall.
Cowboys Potentially Pursuing LB Patrick Queen Trade: Report
The first day of the legal tampering period was an excellent day for free agent linebackers.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper ranked nine linebackers in his top 100 free agents ahead of Monday. Of those nine, eight of them agreed to contracts either with their incumbent organization or a new team.
The only top free agent linebacker left in free agency, according to Popper, is Kaden Elliss.
That frenzy will make any linebacker on the trade block a potentially very attractive asset.
Queen could be on the market since he’s been somewhat of a disappointment in Pittsburgh. Overall, he’s been at least serviceable starter, but the Steelers were hoping to have their next great linebacker when they signed Queen in free agency.
Still only 26 years old and a 2-time Pro Bowler, Queen could still be that guy. He’s just left a little to be desired through two seasons in Pittsburgh.
With only a year left on his contract, the Steelers could already be thinking ahead about Queen’s future. That could especially be the case if a team such as the Cowboys or Eagles want to make a tremendous trade offer for the linebacker.
How Would Steelers Replace Queen If They Trade Him?
The biggest problem and likely reason the Steelers won’t trade Queen is it will be difficult to replace him. Again, all the top inside linebackers in free agency are pretty much gone.
The Steelers ensured they have inside linebacker depth, though, with the re-signing of Cole Holcomb on Monday. The move came as a surprise and gives the Steelers five quality inside linebackers.
Could the Steelers have brought back Holcomb with the intention to trade Queen?
It’s possible but not super likely. Queen is the top linebacker of the group in Pittsburgh. If the Steelers trade one of them, it would probably make more sense to deal Payton Wilson or Malik Harrison.
However, those two might not be ideal trade candidates. Wilson is still affordable and a potential player on the rise for the Steelers. Meanwhile, Harrison is a veteran that wouldn’t move the needle on the open market like Queen would.
With that in mind, it’s probably unwise to completely rule out a Queen trade this offseason. It might greatly depend on what the Cowboys or other teams are willing to send to Pittsburgh for him.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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