The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait on Aaron Rodgers‘ decision regarding his football future, nearly three months after free agency began.
The veteran quarterback, long linked to the franchise and even spotted visiting the team facility, has yet to make a commitment – and time may be running out.
With Rodgers still weighing his options – retirement or another destination both remaining possibilities – Pittsburgh is reportedly preparing a contingency plan. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, one name gaining traction inside the organization is Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
“I had some conversations with people this week that led me to believe that Cousins is at the very least on the Steelers’ radar, if something were to fall through on Rodgers,” Fowler said on SportsCenter.
“There was interest earlier in the offseason. Right now, Pittsburgh might be the only hope for Cousins, or he’s stuck in Atlanta.”
Atlanta wasn’t the happiest home Cousins has had
Cousins is coming off a difficult 2024 campaign in which he tied for the league lead with 16 interceptions and was benched late in the season in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. With the Falcons now fully committed to Penix as their starter, Cousins‘ future with the team appears uncertain.
While Cousins has expressed a desire to start elsewhere, Atlanta has shown little willingness to trade the veteran quarterback. That said, if Rodgers passes on Pittsburgh, the Steelers may emerge as a logical trade partner – one of the few teams still in need of a quarterback this late in the offseason.
Though Cousins is not seen as a long-term solution, his wealth of starting experience and ability to operate within Arthur Smith’s system could offer the Steelers short-term stability. He may not make Pittsburgh a true AFC contender, but he could be enough to guide them back into playoff contention.
Still, concerns remain. At 36 and coming off the worst season of his career, Cousins may no longer have the tools to be an effective starter. But for the Steelers, who are running out of options, he could represent the best remaining choice.
Should Rodgers ultimately decide against joining Pittsburgh, Cousins could find himself with one more opportunity to lead a team – and the Steelers may have to bet on a rebound season from the veteran to salvage their 2025 campaign.
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