The Pittsburgh Steelers have played more than 500 defensive snaps this season. Patrick Queen has been on the field for all but one. Against Cleveland, he made his presence known, delivering 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. The All-Pro linebacker is giving fans more reason to appreciate what he brings to Patrick Graham's defense in recent outings.
Queen is obviously an integral piece of the puzzle. But what does his future with Mike McCarthy’s roster look like?
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Pittsburgh’s linebacker has a 20% chance of being traded before the Nov. 10 NFL Trade deadline. He noted that the Dallas Cowboys were checking on Queen’s availability in the spring.
Jerry Jones’ interest is flattering, but isn’t surprising. Last season, Patrick Queen ranked second among Pittsburgh defenders in total tackles (120) and fifth in tackles for loss (8). His struggles in pass coverage were his biggest blemish. He allowed 8.9 yards per target and a 114.9 passer rating.
Pittsburgh’s defensive leader is due for a new deal soon. In 2024, Queen signed a three-year, $41 million deal with the front office. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March 2027.
Omar Khan will have to make a massive decision soon. Is Patrick Queen worth keeping on the roster?
The Pittsburgh Steelers cannot afford to let Omar Khan trade Patrick Queen before the NFL Trade Deadline
Absolutely.
It’s undeniable how dominant Queen has been recently. During the last three weeks, he’s earned 25 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. He’s also contributed two pass deflections. Fred Warner (22) and Roquan Smith (24) both have similar tackle totals within the time period, but fail to produce any sacks.
That’s important when considering the perfect price for Queen’s next deal. His productivity matches the league’s top-paid linebackers. So I’d expect him to demand compensation that reflects his on-field value. Warner and Smith both earn $20 million or more annually. Azeez Al-Shaair (HOU) and Zach Baun (PHI) are the next tier down - earning at least $17 million.
Queen has become more than a dependable presence in Patrick Graham’s defense. His recent production reinforces why Pittsburgh cannot afford to sacrifice a defensive cornerstone for additional draft capital.
With his contract soon to expire after the season, Omar Khan faces a difficult financial decision. However, Queen’s recent performances have given the front office a compelling reason to prioritize an extension over a trade.
If he continues producing at this level, the question won't be whether Queen deserves another contract; it will be how much Pittsburgh is willing to pay to keep him.
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