Mar 30, 2026, 10:30 AM CUT
Reports: Cowboys Eye Potential Move Involving AFC North Star
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 12: The Dallas Cowboys defense smothers Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby 4 for a loss during the preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 12, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA AUG 12 Preseason - Jaguars at Cowboys EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon1692308123238
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 12: The Dallas Cowboys defense smothers Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby 4 for a loss during the preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 12, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA AUG 12 Preseason - Jaguars at Cowboys EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon1692308123238
The Dallas Cowboys might have an answer for their biggest defensive need. Reports are linking them to a potential trade for a Steelers Pro Bowl linebacker, a move that would fill a major gap on their roster.
The latest name linked to the Dallas Cowboys is linebacker (LB) Patrick Queen, who currently plays in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The LB position is something Jones and the front office have not addressed so far in free agency, and it remains the biggest gaping hole in that defense.
Queen, the former first-round pick in 2020, is entering the final year of his 3-year $41 million contract with the Steelers. This makes it harder for the Cowboys to acquire him.
The linebacker will enter his seventh NFL season. Queen spent his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and the next two with the Steelers. Throughout his career, Queen has played 17 games in every season except 2020, when he played 16 in his rookie year.
The former LSU Tiger has 703 total tackles, of which 418 are solo. Along with that, Queen has recorded 15.5 sacks, four interceptions, and forced a fumble eight times and recovered all eight of those fumbles.
Queen also has 26 passes defended and has been named a Pro Bowler two times in his NFL career. He is the type of player the Cowboys could desperately use after last season's abysmal defensive showing.
How can Jones and his Cowboys get Patrick Queen?
The linebacker is under contract, so there’s only one way Jones and Co. acquire Queen to play at AT&T Stadium this fall.
The two-time Pro Bowler could be a cap casualty for his current team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. His contract for this year carries an approximate $17.1 million cap hit in 2026.
This is something the Steelers will look to avoid by either trading the player or extending his contract.
At 26 years old, Queen makes perfect sense for the Dallas Cowboys. Now, it all comes down to the asking price the Steelers will demand and whether a deal can be struck between the two franchises.
