The Dallas Cowboys may not be done looking for help at linebacker. Less than two weeks before the NFL trade deadline, reporting suggests Dallas could revisit a conversation it already started earlier in the offseason: a check-in on Patrick Queen's availability with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That matters because the Cowboys' defense has been under pressure, and trade chatter around the roster has not been limited to one position. Maxx Crosby and Josh Sweat have also been part of the broader discussion, but Queen stands out for a simpler reason: he is a proven linebacker, and the Cowboys reportedly already asked about him once.
Why Queen remains a name to watch
Jeremy Fowler reported that rumors of a Queen trade persisted in the spring, with the Cowboys among the teams that checked on his availability. Fowler also noted that Queen is a 2027 free agent, which gives the Steelers control for now, even if it does not completely eliminate the possibility of another inquiry before the deadline.
There is also a strong football reason the name keeps surfacing. During the 2023 season, Queen earned second-team All-Pro honors with the Baltimore Ravens, a reminder that he is not just a depth piece or a speculative fit. He has already shown he can be a high-level linebacker when the role and the surrounding structure are right.
At the same time, the Steelers are not exactly behaving like a team with an urgent reason to sell. Fowler pointed out that Pittsburgh's status as a 5-2 team likely keeps Queen in place, at least for now. That does not shut the door on trade talk, but it does make any move more difficult to pull off.
What it means for Dallas
The bigger picture is that the Cowboys and Steelers have made multiple recent player transactions, which gives this rumor a little more grounding than the usual deadline speculation. It does not guarantee a deal, and it does not mean Dallas is close to solving its defensive issues. But it does suggest the Cowboys are still looking for a clear upgrade path.
If the Cowboys return to Queen before the deadline, the appeal is straightforward. He would offer linebacker help to a struggling defense, and he would do so with a résumé that already includes All-Pro recognition. The obstacle is just as straightforward: the Steelers have reason to keep a productive defender on a winning team, especially with Queen under team control beyond this season.
So the story is less about a deal being imminent and more about a front office that appears willing to keep probing. For Dallas, that is the part worth watching. When a team has a defensive need and an established player like Patrick Queen is available in conversation, the trade market can move quickly.
