The Pittsburgh Steelers have been pursuing free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers for over two months, but the veteran has yet to make a decision regarding his football future, and it has been incredibly frustrating for everyone.
Rodgers could opt to retire instead of signing with the Steelers. Either way, general manager Omar Khan should start thinking about other quarterback options, and Sportsnaut’s Andrew Buller-Russ lists Pittsburgh as a potential landing spot for Atlanta Falcons signal-caller Kirk Cousins.
“This one is simple. If Aaron Rodgers decides he doesn’t want to join the Pittsburgh Steelers, then the team will have to act quickly to find another highly capable starter. Pittsburgh won’t find anyone more motivated than Cousins. Plus, if Arthur Smith can maximize the skillset of the four-time Pro Bowl QB, he just might get calls to be a head coach again,” Buller-Russ wrote.
Cousins is in a tough spot in his career. The veteran is coming off the worst year of his career in 2024, where he tied for the league lead in interceptions thrown with 16 and was benched for Michael Penix Jr. at the end of the season.
Though Atlanta plans to move forward with Penix as the starter, the Falcons haven’t shown interest in moving Cousins, who wasn’t in attendance during OTAs this week and has already expressed his desire to be a starter to members of the organization.
If the Falcons are eventually willing to trade Cousins, the Steelers would be a logical landing spot if Rodgers doesn’t come to fruition. Though he did struggle last year, Cousins can still be a solid starting quarterback with the right coaching and playmakers around, and a change of scenery in Pittsburgh could be what he needs to have a bounce-back campaign in 2025.
There are some risks involved with trading for Cousins, as the four-time Pro Bowler is on a massive contract and will turn 37 before the season. However, the Steelers have run out of potential quarterback candidates at this point in the offseason, so they have to keep trading for Cousins as an option on the table.
MORE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEWS
Steelers interested in Pro Bowl tight end instead of wide receiver
Steelers predicted to pair Kaleb Johnson with former $36 million All-Pro running back
Browns QB Kenny Pickett takes shot at Steelers after lone season with Eagles
