Report: Steelers In Serious Talks With Dallas Cowboys As Another Trade Is Nearing

The Pittsburgh Steelers wasted no time being active once the NFL's legal tampering period began on Monday. However, the big splash wasn't in the way of a free agency signing. General Manager Omar Khan agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts and traded for Michael Pittman Jr. The franchise also is said to be extending the wide receiver to a fresh three-year deal. This is exactly what the organization needed and, defensively, Asante Samuel Jr. was retained, while Jamel Dean is prepared to put pen to paper to join the secondary. Things are slowly coming together, and the front office may not be close to done.

One of the more intriguing positions for the Steelers that hasn't been talked about all that much is inside linebacker. Cole Holcomb also is set to return to the Steel City on a two-year contract that was reported on Monday morning. Him coming back is great for depth and special teams purposes; however, there is still a need for more consistency at the position.

Patrick Queen is preparing to enter the final season of a three-year deal that he signed back in the 2024 offseason. According to a report that came from 93.7 The Fan's PM Team w/Poni & Mueller, Khan is having intense discussions with Dallas Cowboys leader Jerry Jones regarding a trade that would send Queen to play in the NFC for the first time in his career.

This would be an aggressive, but potentially necessary move. Queen has never quite lived up to expectations here in the Steel City, but he has been a relatively solid defender at times. If the Steelers end up making the decision to deal him, it is certainly because there are plans to add to the position sooner rather than later. It will be something to monitor as Pittsburgh continues to get the roster shaped up for Mike McCarthy.

On Monday evening, NFL Network reporter Jane Slater shared that the Cowboys were involved in talks with linebacker Devin Lloyd before he ultimately landed with the Carolina Panthers on a three-year deal with $45 million. 

In her X post, you can see that she says to keep an eye on Queen. 

Sources told SteelerNation.com on Monday evening that Queen was attempting to sell some of his Steelers items privately, and that he wishes to be closer to Louisiana where he was raised and went to college. 

Queen was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round back in 2020, and has been elected to the Pro Bowl twice. Despite some impressive accomplishments, new coaching staffs often have different ideas than the previous regime. This could be the case with Queen if both McCarthy and new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham have their sights set on someone else.

There will be ways to replace Queen aside from free agency. The Steelers could continue making trades, or wait until the 2026 NFL Draft. There are some stout linebackers coming out of the college ranks, and Pittsburgh no longer needs to be tied to taking a wide receiver in round one because of the Pittman acquisition. Khan seems to be trying to open up all options, and dealing the defensive signal-caller of the past two years would surely be making a statement.

The main downside of parting ways with someone like Queen is losing his durability. He did not miss a regular season contest while with the Steelers, and that is crucial for continuity. However, with a new defense being implemented, it wouldn't hurt nearly as much to move on from the guy who has had the green dot on his helmet in recent seasons.

Steelers Are Taking A Liking To Talking To The Cowboys

In 2025, Khan dealt George Pickens to the Cowboys. Now, it seems as if the two franchises are talking again. This wouldn't be as high profile as the deal that occurred in May of 2025; however, it would be a rather significant one. The Steelers would suddenly have a need for a reliable inside linebacker, and there is no way that Khan and co. would agree to a trade without having a legitimate plan ready to go after it were to hypothetically go through.

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