There's not much going on in the NFL right now, as every team has finally completed their offseason programs and is taking time away from the facility until training camp next month. The Patriots finished their minicamp before every other team, so they have had more time off so far, giving the coaching staff a good chance to look over the roster.
There are still plenty of improvements that need to be made, especially with the immediate futures of players like Christian Gonzalez and rookie Gabe Jacas up in the air.
It's clear that they'll need to add to their pass rush group, even if the situation around Jacas is inevitably solved, and the tight end room needs a boost after Julian Hill suffered a season-ending injury at practice earlier this month.
But there might be a need for help at linebacker, too, with Harold Landry III recovering from offseason surgery and questions about whether the Patriots made enough moves to improve the group for the upcoming season.
That should put them squarely in the conversation for players who might become tough cuts for their current teams, and there are a few names that the Patriots should pay close attention to. One that sparks some intrigue is linebacker Patrick Queen, who Alex Kay of Bleacher Report predicts could be released by the Steelers during roster cuts.
Given his age and potential, the Patriots should research whether he could be a good addition to their defense.
Patrick Queen could be an interesting addition to the Patriots defense in 2026
At first glance, linebacker isn't considered one of the Patriots' biggest roster weaknesses at this point in the offseason. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't try to upgrade their group to the next level if given the chance.
Because of that, a player like Queen should be on their radar. Although he hasn't completely lived up to being a first-round draft pick, he is a 2-time Pro Bowler and hasn't missed a single game in his six-year career so far. He's earned a leadership role on the defenses he's been part of, and at just 26 years old, it's an impressive feat.
With a new environment and some better leadership, there's plenty of reason to believe the best is yet to come for Queen, and that's something Kay emphasizes with his prediction that he will potentially be cut by the Steelers later this summer.
"If Queen does hit free agency, he still offers plenty of upside as a 26-year-old, two-time Pro Bowler with first-round pedigree. He also brings a wealth of experience, having started 101 games since entering the league in 2020, and could still push closer to his ceiling in a new program."
Setting him up with Landry, Christian Elliss, and Robert Spillane could do wonders for Queen's immediate and long-term future, and the Patriots could get a young player with a high ceiling ready to help them continue their rise in the NFL for years to come.
It might take time to get there, but Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf have made it clear they want to invest in young talent with the drive to improve and dominate, and Queen fits that.
If they could get him in free agency for a reasonable price, that would be an absolute no-brainer. But no matter what, they should keep him on their radar, as making their defense the best it can be could help them win even more games in 2026.
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