Steelers' Patrick Queen called fit for Giants in NFL free agent if cut
Getty
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen.
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh drafted linebacker Patrick Queen in round one of the 2020 NFL Draft, and now Queen could be a fit for his old HC in 2026 NFL free agency. But there’s a catch.
“Queen, still only 26, was a top free agent signing two years ago,” veteran FOX Sports reporter Greg Auman noted on February 17, labeling the current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker a top-11 cut candidate for the entire league.
“Queen made the Pro Bowl his first year in Pittsburgh and had 120 tackles in 2025, but Pro Football Focus had him ranked 79th out of 80 linebackers, so it’s hard to see the Steelers paying him $13 million this season,” Auman went on. Adding: “Could he land back in Baltimore with Jesse Minter and Anthony Weaver, or with John Harbaugh and the Giants?”
To be clear, Queen is not available yet. But he’s expected to be, according to Auman.
The Steelers hired a new coaching staff in 2026, following Mike Tomlin’s decision to step down. Although the same front office is still in place, Pittsburgh is expected to reshape its roster around new head coach Mike McCarthy’s vision.
A $41 million middle linebacker may not fit that vision, especially when you consider that the Steelers could shed $13.33 million in cap space by releasing Queen before NFL free agency begins.
Patrick Queen Coaching Tie Matches Up With Latest Giants’ Linebacker News
Giants' John Harbaugh could target ex-Ravens LB Patrick Queen amid news he could be cut
GettyFormer Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen.
The Giants could cut an overpaid middle linebacker, too. The Athletic’s Dan Duggan broke down the likelihood of a Bobby Okereke release on February 18.
“The Giants will need more cap space to upgrade their roster. There are some obvious cap casualties… [but] Okereke is a tougher call,” Duggan wrote at the time. “He has a $14.5 million cap hit for 2026, the final year of his contract. That’s the eighth-highest cap hit among linebackers, and Okereke hasn’t played close to that level since 2023.”
“It’s unlikely that Okereke will turn it around at age 30,” the NYG beat reporter continued. “The Giants can cut him for $9 million in cap savings while eating $5.5 million in dead money. Those savings would be better directed toward a replacement as part of an overhauled linebacker corps.”
So, why would the Giants cut one high-paid linebacker to sign another? Let’s say Queen becomes available as Auman expects.
For starters, Queen knows Harbaugh’s system and coaching style, so he could serve as a leader inside the locker room. Secondly, Queen is entering his age-27 season, which makes him roughly three years younger than Okereke.
“Okereke is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 13, so a decision will come by then,” Duggan stated within his article. He suggested Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal as another potential free agent option.
NFL Free Agency Will Give Giants Fans First Look at John Harbaugh’s Roster Building Preferences
This will be an interesting spring for Giants fans, and it all starts with NFL free agency.
Harbaugh has a big undertaking ahead of him, as he attempts to transform this Big Blue team into a winner. If you look at the Giants’ recent history, that’s easier said than done.
Either way, it’s always exciting when a new regime takes over an organization. In this case, the front office has not changed all that much, but the direction has, with Harbaugh calling the shots.
In free agency, Giants fans will finally get a sense of Harbaugh’s plans.
What positions will the legendary HC prioritize? How will he choose to utilize the Giants’ cap space? Will he choose to part ways with players who have had mixed results, or find ways to keep them in New York?
These are all questions that need answering, and March should be a strong litmus test for fans.