When it comes to alternatives for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are playing a dangerous game waiting for Aaron Rodgers, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has been one of the most talked-about playeres if the team strikes out on the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Cousins is coming off a season in which he struggled mightily and was benched for 2024 first-round pick, Michael Penix Jr., late in the campaign. The veteran signal-caller is now on the trade block, but he has full control over where he lands with a no-trade clause in his contract.
According to a report from The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Steelers are thought to be one of the teams that could trade for Cousins, along with the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings.
However, Russini also adds that Cousins is not believed to be interested in joining a team with a young quarterback, which could cancel him out for the Steelers if they draft a signal-caller in the 2025 NFL draft, something the team is fully expected to do.
The Browns, Steelers and possibly Vikings could be involved in a Cousins trade. Minnesota is looked at as the least likely scenario, given its preference for J.J. McCarthy and that Cousins would need to sign off on any trade he is involved in. It’s believed that Cousins would be against any trade that involves sending him to a situation involving a young QB, similar to the situation he faced in Atlanta last year. If a trade were to happen, I’d expect it to go down on Saturday.
After what transpired last season with Penix Jr., it's clear why Cousins would feel that way. But it's also odd that the veteran doesn't have enough confidence in himself to enter that kind of situation.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
With a terrible situation at quarterback, both in the short and long term, the Steelers are expected to add a signal-caller at some point this week. Shedeur Sanders is the quarterback most connected to Pittsburgh with the No. 21 overall pick, but Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe are also first-round possibilities for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers could definitely explore a trade for Cousins given where they stand in their quarterbacks room currently.
Cousins can provide great competition for Mason Rudolph, and if he can return to form, he'd be a better option entirely. Not to mention, he'd offer a bridge option at quarterback that can keep the Steelers competitive while they develop a younger signal-caller they take in the draft.
All that said, if the Steelers do spring for a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft, that could spell the end of any chance of trading for Cousins, which could leave the Steelers depending on Rudolph as their Week 1 starter.
MORE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEWS
Steelers trade proposal adds $180M quarterback instead of Aaron Rodgers
Mike Tomlin addresses Aaron Rodgers impact on Steelers draft plan
Aaron Rodgers prediction would be nightmare scenario for Steelers