While the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to embrace a rebuild under new head coach Mike McCarthy, the team could cut starting linebacker Patrick Queen this upcoming offseason. According to Bleacher Report, the Steelers have several cap casualties, including Jalen Ramsey, who represents a large sum of money, but they likely could release Queen instead. Pittsburgh can’t afford to let its best starting safety move on to a new team, especially after the production he put up, so the price tag might be worth him sticking around. Unfortunately for Queen, he hasn’t positioned himself to earn the hefty payday of $13.3 million this offseason, and the Steelers might have no other choice but to cut him.
Steelers $41 Million Bust Patrick Queen Named Cut Candidate – Possible Free Agent Suitors Emerge
Originally selected in the first-round, the former LSU product spent the first few years with the Baltimore Ravens, establishing himself as one of the better edge rushers in the league. Despite recording a career-high of 133 tackles, the Steelers snagged him during free agency in 2024 after the Ravens never negotiated any new contract for the linebacker. While it left Ravens fans with a head scratcher, Queen hasn’t lived up to his potential this past season.
It’s been a rough year for the linebacker, but it doesn’t mean he won’t receive interest. Queen is still a quality player who could be a disruptor in a team’s defense and get back to his old Ravens self. The linebacker should earn a long-term contract elsewhere if the Steelers decide to cut him to save money and rebuild their offense led by McCarthy.
Possible Free Agent Fits
Dallas Cowboys
Despite revitalizing the defensive line between trading for Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams this past season, the Dallas Cowboys have arguably one of the worst linebacker units. The team brought in Logan Wilson for some relief, and other than DeMarvion Overshown, the Cowboys should find ways to upgrade the pass-rush. They might be forced to cut Clark due to cap space, but the team still has a dominant line between Williams and Osa Odighizuwa.
While the focus will be on extending George Pickens, it shouldn’t be surprising if the team decides to trade or sign a keystone defensive player to join this talented line. After hiring Christian Parker, the team signing Queen, at least on a one-year contract, would make sense at the right price. They want defensive end Maxx Crosby, but Queen feels more logical, especially since they’re in dire need of finding a replacement since they traded Micah Parsons in August.
Washington Commanders
Meanwhile, the Commanders are in the same situation of rebuilding their defense. This means free agents Bobby Wagner and Von Miller probably won’t return, and this opens a possible opening for Queen to join on a long-term deal. Frankie Luvu is still one of the most consistent playmakers to make an impact, and someone like Queen should be enough firepower to lead this linebacker group.
Los Angeles Chargers
Despite losing their defensive wizard in Jesse Minter to the Ravens, the Los Angeles Chargers should still stay committed to building a ferocious defense. The good news is that they’ve locked in defensive tackle, Teair Tart, on a multi-year extension, but there is room for improvement in their edge rush. If Khalil Mack decides to test the market, this could be bad news since the Chargers haven’t found a star since releasing Joey Bosa, who later joined the Bills to make a case that he’s still effective.
If everything else fails, and even if they retain Odafe Oweh, Queen joining his former Raven teammate makes sense in this situation.