Report: Steelers Could Pivot to Kirk Cousins
If Aaron Rodgers doesn’t come to Pittsburgh, it’s likely that the Steelers will pivot to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
“If they don’t land Aaron Rodgers, they’ll likely be interested in Cousins,” Cabot wrote.
Cleveland is another possible landing spot for Cousins. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and Cousins have a close relationship due to their time together in Minnesota. Depending on how things play out, it seems like the Steelers and Browns could be in a possible bidding war for Cousins.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said at the NFL owner’s meetings that they’re still evaluating potential acquisitions at the quarterback position and doing their due diligence.
“I don’t know if we are identifying anything as Plan A, Plan B or Plan C,” Tomlin said. “We’re just simply looking at the field of available people, whether it’s free agency or the draft and making decisions and gathering information accordingly.”
Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer believes the Steelers could be interested in trading for Cousins if they fail to land Rodgers.
“With his $10 million guarantee for 2025 vested, Kirk Cousins is now looking at potentially slow-playing his next move,” Breer wrote. “If, say, Rodgers picks the Steelers this week, I’d expect that the Giants and Cleveland Browns would have at least some interest in making a move for the Atlanta Falcons’ very pricey backup. Ditto for the Steelers if they strike out.”
Cousins, 36, signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons last offseason. But he disappointed in his first year with Atlanta, passing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 games before being benched for rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
The four-time Pro Bowler did earn his $10 million roster bonus, which is why many believe the Falcons will keep him as their backup for the 2025 season. However, that isn’t the sense everyone is getting around the league.
Cousins also has a no-trade clause, but he would likely waive it if he were given the opportunity to start elsewhere.
The Steelers are hoping that won’t be them, but they seem to be at the mercy of Rodgers for now.
Cousins, a fourth-round pick (No. 102 overall) in 2012, has thrown for 42,979 yards, 288 touchdowns and 126 interceptions in his 13-year NFL career.
Aaron Becker and Alan Saunders contributed reporting for this story.