The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of a long and drawn out process to find the team's starting quarterback for the 2025 season. The quarterback room will be completely turned over for the second season in a row, with the only two signal-callers currently under contract for the season being Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. Pittsburgh is still in pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, and the organization is the veteran's most likely landing as he continues to ponder what he will do in the future.
The Steelers seem to be the only landing spot for Rodgers in the 2025 season, and the 41-year-old is also considering retirement. Should another team come in and sign Rodgers, or the veteran retire, Pittsburgh will be high and dry at the position.
Bringing in a rookie via the 2025 NFL Draft is an option, but so is adding another veteran. Cleveland Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot recently discussed Cleveland's interest in Kirk Cousins, while also suggesting the Steelers may make a move for the veteran.
"The other team still needing a quarterback right now is the Steelers, who have the No. 21 pick in the draft." Kay Cabot wrote. "If they don’t land Aaron Rodgers, they’ll likely be interested in Cousins. They also seemingly have their eye on Milroe at 21, and if they draft him, Cousins would have to decide if that’s the right spot for him. He could also wait until a quarterback gets injured and needs a starter. In that case, a team would probably be willing to pay the Falcons a sizable chunk of his salary."
Cousins is currently under contract with the Atlanta Falcons, as he signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the organization during the 2024 offseason. Atlanta is in a weird spot with Cousins as the franchise has a ton of money committed to the quarterback, but the Falcons benched him late in the 2024 season in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.
The Falcons' brass has been very public in stating that the organization has no interest in trading Cousins, as the organization already has a good chunk of guaranteed money committed to the quarterback. Atlanta would need to receive strong compensation in a potential deal, as he could be one of the better backups in the league to a young second-year player.
Cousins had a great career going before arriving in Atlanta. He suffered a serious Achilles injury that ended his 2023 season, and his mobility looked like it was hindered in 2024. His decision making was also deemed questionable as he threw a career-high 16 interceptions in just 14 games.
In any deal for Cousins the Steelers would likely need to give up significant draft capital while also making somewhat of a serious financial commitment to the quarterback. The move would not be logical, and it would probably set the organization back a couple of years at the position.
Steelers Should Only Be Interested In Aaron Rodgers As A Veteran Addition
Even if Rodgers decides to retire and it seems like the Steelers are out of options, Cousins should not be a player that is considered in Pittsburgh. Rudolph has some starting experience, and there is a chance Pittsburgh can find some value in a Day 3 pick during the 2025 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh holds the 21st overall pick in the event, and a move can be made for Shedeur Sanders while Jaxson Dart could also be available when the organization's pick rolls around.
The fan base is already on edge after the constant mediocrity over the last decade or so with the Steelers. Trading for Cousins would make the tension grow even higher, and make the future of the franchise seem extremely bleak.
