Patrick Queen is emerging as a hot offseason trade candidate. PFF’s Bradley Locker suggests Pittsburgh could move on from the 26-year-old as the new era begins, especially with big cap questions on the horizon. 📊
Contract and cap snapshot:
– Queen signed 3 years, $41 million in 2024. His 2026 season is on an expiring deal.
– 2025 stats: 120 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 5 QB hits, 4 passes defended, 1 sack; he earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2024. He led the Steelers in defensive snaps in both 2024 and 2025.
– Trading Queen could save about $13.33 million against the cap, regardless of whether the move happens before or after June 1. 💰
Depth and replacement dynamics:
– If Queen leaves, Pittsburgh would need to replace 1,000+ defensive snaps.
– Current linebackers under contract for 2026: Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison. Bruener has limited NFL experience and would likely grow into a larger role, while re-signing Cole Holcomb is a possibility but his knee injury and limited 2025 snaps complicate that option. 🧭
Takeaway:
A Queen trade could clear significant cap space and give the next Steelers coach flexibility to mold the defense, either through the draft or targeted signings, as the team charts a new direction. 🔥📊
