Could Steelers be in play for Pro Bowl LB in free agency?

Queen, a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, will prove costly after posting 250 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and 12 passes defensed over the past two years.

That's the exact reason why Baltimore, which is $10 million over the salary cap, is unlikely to be able to retain him.

Pittsburgh isn't in a much better situation with about $8 million in cap space, per Over The Cap, but the team is expected to make several moves to clear more space in the coming days.

Queen would likely take up the bulk of the Steelers funds, as he's expected to receive a five-year, $92.64 million contract ($18.5M per year), per Spotrac. However, if they are willing to go all in on the Pro Bowl linebacker, they could make it work.

Pittsburgh must add to its inside linebacker room after watching Cole Holcomb (knee) and Kwon Alexander (Achilles) suffer season-ending injuries last season. Holcomb's timeline to return is still unknown while Alexander will be a free agent.

The Steelers still have Elandon Roberts under contract in 2024, but who they are planning to pair him with remains up for debate. That's why adding a player like Queen makes sense.

Of course, Queen would also have to be interested in joining his former division rival, but why wouldn't he be interested in facing his former team, which he watched trade for LB Roquan Smith and hand him a five-year, $100M contract, at least two times a year?