The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a great job when it comes to acquiring talent from around the NFL over the past few offseasons, and there is no doubt that General Manager Omar Khan has been somewhat aggressive in that regard. One of the bigger splashes that Khan has made since becoming the general manager in Pittsburgh was going out and signing inside linebacker Patrick Queen. This was considered to be a huge signing at the time as Queen was coming off of an All-Pro season, and the Steelers were also stealing him from a divisional rival in the Baltimore Ravens.
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Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz during Pittsburgh's 24-21 win at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland.
The Steelers signed Queen to a three-year deal worth $41 million during the 2024 offseason, and that is still the largest contract that the organization has ever given out in free agency. There was a ton of excitement surrounding the signing when it first occurred, but Queen has been on the receiving end of a lot of hate from the fan base throughout his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. Many believe he has not played up to the level of his contract, despite the fact that he has had some great performances while wearing the black and gold. He recently appeared on The Football Frame Of Mind podcast, and he revealed that he played the entire 2025 season with an injury.
"I remember when I first got into the league, and I started like getting good, like year three, year four, I would always go like tweet about other players and stuff like that," Queen said. "Being in that system and being in another system, I just got so much respect for the position now, like I would never, ever talk about another guy at my position. It will only be good things because I know what goes into this position. Especially after playing this season hurt, the whole season. It's tough, it's tough."
Queen subtly dropped that he played the 2025 season hurt, although he did not go into much detail about what the injury was. This could explain why some would say that he had a down year, but it is also a great reason that shows why the fan base should show more appreciation for Queen. He did not miss a single game for Pittsburgh, and that shows the amount of love and respect he has for the franchise.
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Steelers' Patrick Queen and TJ Watt during a road game against the Denver Broncos in the 2024 season.
After signing Queen back during the 2024 offseason, the hope was that he would continue playing at an All-Pro level. That has not happened in Pittsburgh, and it is fair to say that the defender has struggled with consistency. He will be entering the 2026 season healthy, and he will also be playing for a new coaching staff. There is a chance that a clean bill of health and a new defensive system might help him get back to his 2023 self.
Steelers Won't Be Moving Patrick Queen Prior To 2026 Season
It seems to be very likely that the 2026 season will be Queen's last in Pittsburgh as he is scheduled to become a free agent during the 2027 offseason, and that fact alone sparked some trade rumors involving the veteran inside linebacker. The Dallas Cowboys were reportedly interested in the defender at some point during the 2026 offseason, but any trade talks fell apart. Queen is in Pittsburgh for the 2026 season, and he had a roster bonus due on the third day of the new league year in 2026.
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) participates and stretches in the Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Tuesday May 27, 2025 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
That date has already passed, so the Steelers have paid him $2.5 million already for the 2026 season. That likely means he won't be going anywhere, and all trade talks are strictly rumors and speculation.
What do you think about Queen playing through the 2025 season while injured? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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