Former NFL GM: Steelers Should Trade for Kirk Cousins

The Steelers have not received optimal quarterback play from Kenny Pickett to start the season. No matter the circumstances surrounding that, it has caused people to start to pivot to a ‘what’s next’ mentality for the future of the Steelers quarterback situation. On The GM Shuffle, former NFL executive and Browns general manager Michael Lombardi laid out a scenario where the Steelers could look to make a move for a quarterback.

However, that move would be for Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins is in the last year of his contract with the Vikings and will be a free agent at the season’s end. Minnesota could move Cousins to get compensation before he leaves if they do not plan on bringing him back.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett throws the ball against the Baltimore Ravens, Oct. 8, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

“Would Pittsburgh take him? If you put Kirk Cousins on Pittsburgh’s team right now, that might improve them,” Lombardi said. “It might give them a long-term answer. Would they sign him? Well, they have a quarterback on a rookie deal. I’m sure they could. Is it Pittsburgh’s style? I don’t think so, but it depends on where they think they are with Kenny Pickett. They’re going to win enough games to where they won’t get a top quarterback. If you’re Omar Khan and you know you’re not going to get a top-ten quarterback, so do you keep going with Pickett and hope he gets better? Or for the next two years, let me bring in Cousins, and we’ll see if Pickett grows up. I don’t know if I’d argue with that logic.”

Former NFL GM Michael Lombardi lays out reasons why the Steelers should trade for Kirk Cousins. Wow. pic.twitter.com/7bInxTi8yq

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) October 13, 2023

Those are strong words, but Cousins coming to Pittsburgh is not a foreign idea. Lombardi is just the first high-profile person to speculate on that. But the Steelers making the move, especially trading for him, seems out of the blue. They will likely take this entire year to evaluate Pickett, at least, and see what they have there. If Cousins hits the open market in March, maybe this becomes a more serious conversation.

Pickett is still skittish in the pocket and lacks the processing speed from the pocket needed to sustain success there now. Some of that could be attributed to the play of guys around him. Pickett’s escapability remains a unique trait that many NFL quarterbacks do not have. But with him right now, that is a blessing and curse as he can run himself into pressure.

But the circumstances of the offense at this point are not conducive to high-level offensive success. Cousins would certainly help raise the level of play, but how much of a long-term effect would it have if they locked into him for multiple seasons? That’s the risk and reward here. Trading compensation to not extend him seems foolish.