As the NFL trade deadline draws closer, the Dallas Cowboys are once again being mentioned in connection with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen. While much of the trade speculation surrounding Dallas has previously centered on prominent edge rushers such as Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby and Arizona Cardinals standout Josh Sweat, defensive reinforcements in the middle of the field could also address vulnerabilities in the Cowboys’ defense.
Queen signed with Pittsburgh following a second-team All-Pro campaign in 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens. Interest from Dallas is not entirely new; the Cowboys reportedly reached out to the Steelers regarding Queen’s availability earlier in the offseason before the league year began. With the trade deadline now less than two weeks away, discussions could potentially be revisited.
Analyst Jeremy Fowler recently highlighted Queen among the top 25 candidates projected to be on the move, noting that rumblings of a potential trade persisted through the spring. Fowler identifies the Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills as optimal fits for the linebacker, who is signed through a contract running until he becomes a free agent in 2027. Despite that outside interest, however, Fowler views an actual trade as a low-probability event, largely because the Steelers currently sit at a strong 5-2 record, making a core defensive piece difficult to pry away.
Should a deal somehow materialize, it would continue a recent trading relationship between the two franchises. Past transactions between Dallas and Pittsburgh have included the Cowboys acquiring cornerback Joey Porter Jr., wide receiver George Pickens, and offensive tackle Broderick Jones.
Evaluating what Queen would contribute to the Dallas unit, analyst Matt Bowen describes him as a dynamic, run-and-hit defender equipped with strong lateral pursuit speed. Bowen notes that Queen excels at tracking the ball on the perimeter and closing quickly on underneath passes in zone coverage. While acknowledging certain limitations—pointing out that Queen occasionally struggles against the run in tight quarters and can improve his route identification—Bowen highlights a durable production record that includes at least 115 tackles in each of his past four seasons, alongside 26 pass breakups over the last five years.
Whether Cowboys owner Jerry Jones decides to pursue another roster addition depends on how front-office evaluations unfold before the league’s trade deadline arrives on Tuesday, November 10, at 4:00 p.m. ET.
