The Pittsburgh Steelers have been playing a waiting game with quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason. After bringing in both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields for the 2024 season, the Steelers did not work out a deal to keep either one for 2025.
This left their quarterback room very empty. Pittsburgh brought their former longtime backup, Mason Rudolph, back to the franchise after he spent last season with the Tennessee Titans. However, he indicated that he knows he will most likely be QB2 in 2025.
When the New York Jets and Rodgers announced they were parting ways, the Steelers reportedly contacted the four-time MVP. He came to Pittsburgh to meet with the team, and it supposedly went well enough that the Steelers offered him a deal. However, it’s been months and Rodgers has still not made a decision.
That leaves fans wondering what will happen if Rodgers says no or decides to retire. What other options do the Steelers have?
Could The Steelers Consider Kirk Cousins For 2025?
NFL insider James Palmer recently discussed the Steelers’ quarterback dilemma on his podcast, “NFL Insider Notebook.” He said Pittsburgh does believe that a deal with Rodgers could be forthcoming.
Many fans have expressed concerns that Rodgers has not fully recovered from his 2023 Achilles injury. Palmer said that the Steelers feel that with another year of recovery, Rodgers will be more of the quarterback everyone saw late in 2024.
He said that they have said they are prepared to move forward with Rudolph if they have to but it could be possible that they considered Kirk Cousins. He believes they would have some interest in him but there is one major concern.
“My understanding is this: they are not going to be willing to pay a large chunk of that salary that Kirk Cousins is owed. I think it’s over $27 million this year, and the $10 million bonus that would have to be checked in for next season as a part of the deal. Unless the Falcons are able to eat the majority of that money, I don’t think Kirk Cousins and the Steelers are a match,” explained Palmer.
After spending several seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2024. Then, just over a month later, the team turned around and drafted Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall.
Cousins had an inconsistent season with the Falcons, starting in 14 games before being benched in favor of Penix. The Falcons have already announced that they will move forward with Penix as their QB1 in 2025, leaving Cousins as a costly backup.
The Falcons have said they are satisfied with the idea of Cousins as a backup; it makes sense that he would be one of, if not the best, QB2 players in the league.
The Steelers are not known to overpay for players, making the Cousins deal seem unlikely. However, if the Falcons are willing to take on the majority of the burden, they might be interested.