Steelers' Omar Khan receives alarming message regarding Patrick Queen

Pittsburgh Steelers fans were super excited when they landed off-ball linebacker Patrick Queen ahead of the 2024 season. The Steelers signed the former rival to a three-year, $41M deal, signaling a major investment in shoring up their defense. From the start, expectations were high, with Queen expected to bring leadership and stability to a unit that has struggled at times in recent years. His presence immediately added credibility and excitement, giving fans hope that the defense could return to its traditional dominance.

The jury has been out on just how impactful Queen has been during his two seasons in Pittsburgh. Fans and pundits have debated his contributions on the field, analyzing his tackles, coverage skills and ability to read opposing offenses. Despite differing opinions, the overall consensus is that Queen has been a welcome presence as the quarterback of the defense, organizing teammates and setting the tone on the field. His leadership has been particularly noticeable under pressure, and many argue that his influence goes beyond statistics, providing the kind of intangibles that are hard to replace.

For new head coach Mike McCarthy and Steelers general manager Omar Khan, the idea of trading Queen away is starting to gain steam, but questions remain about whether it is the right move. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo recently revealed why he thinks Khan needs to be warned about trading Queen, highlighting both the potential risks to the defense and the message it could send to the locker room. With Queen’s combination of leadership and on-field ability, any decision to move him would have far-reaching implications, making this a topic Steelers fans are watching closely.

"I haven't heard that, but if they are considering that, they better have someone in mind to replace him," Fittipaldo said. "It's one of the most difficult positions on the team. He's the quarterback of the defense. He makes all the calls, gets the players aligned, etc. And he has to be able to stop the run and cover. Payton Wilson might be able to handle those responsibilities, but he's never done it over the long haul."

Fittipaldo highlights his concern that if the Steelers move away from Queen and trade him, it would leave Payton Wilson as the quarterback of the defense, and he is not certain Wilson is ready for that responsibility just yet. 

Fittipaldo believes that trading Queen right now would be a mistake, and that is something that does not appear to be on the Steelers’ radar. If a trade were to happen, he argues, the team would need to carefully target a replacement in the loaded 2026 off-ball linebacker draft class.

"I will point out -- as I did on the North Shore podcast this morning -- that there is a good off-ball linebacker class coming out in the draft this year," Fittipaldo said. "If they are considering a trade, then almost certainly they have their eye on an ILB in the draft."

While trade rumors swirl, Steelers fans are left wondering what the future holds for their defense. Queen has become a central figure in Pittsburgh, and moving him could create a leadership void that Wilson may not yet be ready to fill. 

Steelers could look at the 2026 NFL Draft for ILB 

With a deep 2026 inside linebacker draft class on the horizon, the Steelers have options, but any move must be calculated. 

For now, the team’s focus should remain on building cohesion under McCarthy while ensuring that Queen’s potential departure does not destabilize a defense still finding its identity under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.