Patrick Queen
Getty
Steelers Depot's Dave Bryan argued the Pittsburgh Steelers could still trade linebacker Patrick Queen to the Dallas Cowboys during the 2026 NFL Draft.
After appearing to be “imminent” early in NFL free agency, a Patrick Queen trade to the Dallas Cowboys didn’t happen. Queen, who has a year left on his contract, remains on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster.
But that doesn’t mean a trade is dead. That’s what Steelers Depot’s Dave Bryan argued Thursday.
While Bryan admitted he’s not a fan of NFL Draft trade speculating, the Steelers writer couldn’t ignore the possibility of Queen heading to the Cowboys in a trade on draft night. Bryan then proposed the possibility of the Steelers sending Queen to Dallas in a first-round draft pick swap.
The swap would result in the Steelers moving up from No. 21 overall to No. 12 in the first round.
“On paper, the Steelers could be enticed to trade Queen to the Cowboys as part of a deal that would include swapping their own first-round pick and perhaps another top-100 selection of theirs outside of the second round,” wrote Bryan. “Remember, the Steelers currently own three selections in the third round of the draft with their last one in that frame being 99th overall…
“I would be in favor of the Steelers trading up with the Cowboys to select Ioane and giving Dallas Queen as part of said deal, as long as the package did not include the team’s second-round selection (53rd overall) and any pick in the first three rounds of the 2027 NFL Draft.”
Could Cowboys Pursue Patrick Queen Trade During 2026 NFL Draft?
Jerry Jones
GettyCould Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys express interest in a Patrick Queen trade again?
The Dallas Morning-News’s Calvin Watkins and The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris both reported the Cowboys showed interest in a Queen trade during March. Nothing came together, though, and the Cowboys appeared to move on to other possibilities.
Those possibilities include drafting an inside linebacker at No. 12 overall. Or, the Cowboys could move up the board to guarantee securing their next defensive leader.
Dallas badly needs an inside linebacker upgrade. The Cowboys finished 30th in yards allowed and last in scoring defense during 2025.
Bryan sees Queen becoming a trade target for the Cowboys again if Dallas misses out on the linebacker the team wants in the 2026 draft class.
“Should such a scenario ultimately play out, the Cowboys could very well be left in no-man’s land when it comes to position need and draft position/value,” wrote Bryan.
“That very scenario could result in the Cowboys wanting to trade down in the first round and them possibly looking for a deal that includes an experienced linebacker, a first-round pick and possibly another top-1oo selection.”
Queen made second-team All-Pro with the Baltimore Ravens during 2023. He’s been good but not elite the past two seasons with the Steelers.
During 2025, he posted 120 combined tackles, including eight tackles for loss. He also had four pass defenses and a sack.
The Steelers signed Queen to a 3-year, $41 million free agent contract during 2024. If the Cowboys acquire him, they will need reassurance they could work out a long-term deal with the linebacker.
Why the Steelers Could Trade Queen
Patrick Queen
GettySteelers Depot’s Dave Bryan argued the Pittsburgh Steelers could still trade linebacker Patrick Queen to the Dallas Cowboys during the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Steelers will get two positives with a Queen draft night trade to Dallas. First, it will open up an opportunity for Payton Wilson to get more playing time in Pittsburgh.
Secondly, it will place the Steelers in better position to draft a top offensive line or wide receiver prospect.
Bryan speculated the team could move up to No. 12 to grab Penn State guard Vega Ioane. The local prospect would fill the only open offensive line starting job the Steelers have. A move up to No. 12 would enable general manager Omar Khan to grab Ioane before the Ravens make a selection at No. 14.
Or, the Steelers could jump up the board for a receiver such as USC Makai Lemon. The top wideout prospect visited Pittsburgh in a top 30 pre-draft visit Thursday.
Dealing Queen would be a hit to Pittsburgh’s inside linebacker depth, but the team re-signed Cole Holcomb before free agency officially began. The Steelers also have Malik Harrison and Carson Bruener on the linebacker depth chart.
Wilson could pair with Harrison and Holcomb to replace Queen. The Steelers would likely also add another inside linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bryan made clear, though, that a Queen trade will not be on the table if the Steelers aren’t confident in Wilson becoming an every-down linebacker.