Steelers Linked To Kirk Cousins In What Would Be A Repulsive Move By The Franchise

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation is going to be one of the most monitored throughout the NFL during the 2025 offseason. Both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields could be back as the starter, or the organization could go in a completely different direction. A rookie quarterback during the 2025 NFL Draft should also be in play, so the franchise has a lot of different avenues to explore when it comes to finding its next starting quarterback. 

With the only quarterback currently on the roster being Skylar Thompson, the Steelers will be linked to nearly every quarterback during the 2025 offseason. However, the organization wants to win now, which could mean it will lean towards signing a veteran quarterback, while drafting a rookie to sit behind him. The Steelers have already been mentioned in the same breath as Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers, and now Kirk Cousins is expected to be available as well. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Steelers will be exploring every option.

"Our recent 2025 mock draft sees Pittsburgh drafting Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the third round, while owner Art Rooney II has said he’d like to bring back either Fields or Wilson," Russini wrote. "Expect Pittsburgh to explore every option, including potential free agents like Rodgers or Kirk Cousins."

Neither Rodgers or Cousins are very good options. Both quarterbacks tore their Achilles tendon during the 2023 season, and they each struggled in their own ways in 2024. Rodgers could retire, while Cousins has said he wants to be back for the 2025 season. Cousins played with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 and was benched near the end of the year in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. Penix played well and showed promise, so he will be the future of the position for Atlanta.

It is is unclear how exactly Atlanta plans to part ways with Cousins, but it should be assumed that he won't want to return unless he will be the starter. He could be traded, however that will be hard to accomplish for the Falcons considering the gigantic contract the organization signed him to less than a year ago. The quarterback signed a four-year, $180 million deal during the 2024 offseason, with $100 million being guaranteed. It will be impossible to find a trade partner, so Atlanta will have to take on a decent amount of dead cap.

The only perk about potentially signing Cousins after he is released by Atlanta would be that he could come with a cheap price tag. He will still be getting paid his guaranteed money by the Falcons, which means the Steelers could get away with offering him something around the veteran's minimum. It would be eerily similar to how the Steelers signed Wilson during the 2024 offseason.

Steelers Signing Kirk Cousins Would Not Be A Very Inspiring Move

The Steelers' offense looked its worst during the 2024 season when Wilson could not make plays happen with his legs in the backfield. That issue would be even more amplified with Cousins behind center. He has always had limited mobility, but it is even worse after suffering the Achilles injury, and he is also going to be 37 years old when the 2025 season kicks off.

Cousins had some great years with the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders, but his career is certainly declining. During the 2024 season, Cousins led the NFL in interceptions by throwing 16 in just 14 games, which goes against everything the Steelers stand for. The formula to winning in Pittsburgh is conservative offense, protecting the football, and playing good defense. Cousins would likely throw a wrench in that plan if he were to be the next quarterback in Pittsburgh.

Either Fields or Wilson would probably be better options than Cousins, and the same could be said about Stafford.

What would you think about the Steelers signing Cousins for the 2025 season?