The Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers saga continues as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches. The team still needs a starting quarterback, and the 20-year veteran is taking his time making a decision. While there have been some positive developments lately, the Steelers need a backup plan if Rodgers goes in another direction — and one insider says that could include Kirk Cousins.
Insider Reveals Kirk Cousins in Steelers’ Backup Plans
The Steelers have been hunting for a long-term answer at quarterback ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season — and they still haven’t found one.
Rodgers has been linked to Pittsburgh all offseason, even visiting the team facility. But he hasn’t signed yet. One of his former teammates doesn’t think a deal is coming anytime soon, which means the Steelers need a Plan B.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that Pittsburgh would likely be interested in Cousins if Rodgers doesn’t sign. The team also holds the No. 21 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and could target a quarterback there — specifically Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.
“The other team still needing a quarterback right now is the Steelers, who have the No. 21 pick in the draft. If they don’t land Aaron Rodgers, they’ll likely be interested in Cousins. They also seemingly have their eye on Milroe at 21, and if they draft him, Cousins would have to decide if that’s the right spot for him. He could also wait until a quarterback gets injured and needs a starter. In that case, a team would probably be willing to pay the Falcons a sizable chunk of his salary,” she wrote.
With Michael Penix Jr. taking over as the Falcons’ starter at the end of the 2024 season, Cousins now finds himself in a backup role. He’s still earning a hefty salary and turns 37 in August, but he could be a solid starter elsewhere.
Cousins threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and a league-high 16 interceptions in 14 games for Atlanta last season. He ranked No. 24 in PFSN’s QB+ metrics, just a few spots behind Rodgers at No. 21.
Despite the rough year, Cousins was coming off a torn Achilles. Now, heading into his 14th season and two full years removed from the injury, there’s optimism that he can bounce back. A four-time Pro Bowler, he still brings leadership and experience to the table.
Still, he might hesitate if the Steelers draft Milroe in the first round — putting his potential starting role at risk. For now, though, PFSN’s latest NFL Mock Draft has the Steelers taking cornerback Maxwell Hairston at No. 21, while Milroe slides to the New Orleans Saints at No. 40.
