Bills, Bucs or Colts could make trade with Steelers based on trade rumor

The Pittsburgh Steelers could be looking to move on from one of their starting defenders this offseason.

Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the Steelers are expected to cut ties with linebacker Patrick Queen, with a trade being imminent.

"After a down year in 2025, Pittsburgh and [Patrick] Queen are expected to part ways this offseason, and a trade seems imminent for the former first-round pick," Harris said.

The Steelers signed Queen to a three-year deal worth $41 million during the 2024 offseason, but the veteran defender hasn't had the impact Pittsburgh thought he would have on their defense.

Queen was a complete liability in coverage in 2025, allowing a near 80% completion rate when targeted and a 114.6 passer rating.

However, Queen can still be a viable starter at linebacker, as his physicality and tone-setting playstyle should attract some teams on the trade market.

The Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a few teams that could call the Steelers about Queen.

Buffalo needs to find a replacement for Matt Milano, who may not return in free agency. Queen would be a nice fit on the Bills' defense next to Terrel Bernard.

Indianapolis could also acquire Queen to replace Zaire Franklin, whom they traded to the Green Bay Packers.

Tampa Bay has yet to bring back Lavonte David, and if the long-time Buc ends up walking in free agency, Queen could emerge as a target for the Bucs to pair next to Alex Anzalone.

Queen's play has declined in recent years, but he can still provide value to a linebacker-needy team, so he should find himself in a starting role in 2026, even if it's not with the Steelers.

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