The Pittsburgh Steelers will continue to have their attention set on adding veteran depth to an underwhelming and lackluster quarterback room. While trading star wide receiver George Pickens this week may come as a surprise to some, the team now finds themselves with a plethora of draft picks for 2026, including three third-round selections. Given the current state of the QB room and the amount of trade assets at hand, the Steelers are expected to heavily pursue multiple veteran quarterbacks who are currently on the market as a short-term solution.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2024 Wild Card Round.
With former 4x MVP Aaron Rodgers still unable to make a decision in free agency regarding his future, trading for a former star such as Kirk Cousins or Derek Carr is becoming more and more of a realistic option for Pittsburgh. With multiple veteran quarterbacks available on both the free agency and trade markets, NFL analyst Rich Eisen weighed in on the Steelers’ current quarterback situation.
"Well, their plan at quarterback is to start Mason Rudolph, and get Will Howard up to speed in case there's something," explained Eisen. "They have to add another veteran. I mean they have to. Cousins is sitting there [via trade option], and maybe whatever’s going on with Derek Carr down in New Orleans gets settled to the point where he can actually play. I don’t know. Crazier things have happened."
Cousins, who is currently entering the second year of a four-year $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, may emerge as one of Pittsburgh’s top QB options going into this upcoming season. Despite being benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr. during his first year in Atlanta, Cousins is a quality starter that is still just over a year removed from leading the Minnesota Vikings to an impressive 13-4 season, and he's already been rumored to head to the Steel City several times this offseason. The 13-year veteran is credited with 42,979 passing yards and 288 touchdowns throughout his career, while making four Pro Bowl appearances.
The well documented friendship between Mike Tomlin and Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris could play a major factor in a potential Cousins trade as well, with Tomlin and Morris’ relationship dating back to their time together in Tampa Bay. With Cousins currently set at a base salary of $27.5 million for next season however, the Steelers may turn to a cheaper veteran option as their short-term solution moving forward.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin and now Falcons head coach, Raheem Morris, after a 2023 regular season game.
After suffering a brutal injury to his throwing arm, the New Orleans Saints are currently waiting for doctors to make a decision on whether Carr will undergo season-ending surgery for 2025, or if he will be able to play through it. With a decision on Carr’s injury expected to come sooner rather than later, the Steelers may emerge as a top trade candidate for the former Pro Bowler. If healthy, Carr has the ability to become a major addition to the Steelers QB room, as the former Las Vegas Raider was playing at a high level prior to the injury. Carr’s resume includes four Pro Bowl selections and over 41,000 career passing yards, as the veteran QB would bring a level of leadership and experience that has the potential to be an absolute game changer in Pittsburgh.
Steelers Still Have Question Marks At QB
With Rodgers still weighing his options in free agency and contemplating retirement, it has become apparent that the Steelers will be aggressive in their pursuit of a veteran arm. The only question that remains, however, is who it will be. Both Carr and Cousins may prove to become viable options for Pittsburgh, but it's likely that the pursuit would be for one, not both. With Mason Rudolph currently standing as the Steelers' starting quarterback, Pittsburgh is expected to work out a deal with someone sooner rather than later.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.
After drafting Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers may opt to give the National Championship winning QB a shot as well. Howard, 23, is a shifty and dynamic rookie with tons of potential. After breaking multiple school records at Ohio State, the former Buckeye finds himself competing for a starting role in an underwhelming Pittsburgh QB room.
Who do you think ends up winning the starting QB job in Pittsburgh? How's Eisen's list of QB targets? Comment below!
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