The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have one of the worst quarterback rooms in the league. The only two franchises that rival the group are the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints, but both of those organizations at least have fairly highly drafted rookies to be excited about. Pittsburgh has Mason Rudolph and sixth-round selection Will Howard. Howard could be exciting, but it is unlikely he sees the field during his first season in the NFL. Rudolph had a good run at the end of the 2023 season, but he should not even be considered for the starting job in Pittsburgh.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph looks to try and complete a pass during the team's Week 16 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023.
Fans in Pittsburgh have been on the edge of their seats waiting to hear if veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers has decided to sign with the team. All signs point to him eventually wearing the black and gold, but things still seem up in the air. Pittsburgh has to add a quarterback, and a starting-caliber one at that.
One option is Kirk Cousins, who was benched late in the 2024 season for the Atlanta Falcons. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler confirmed Pittsburgh has interest in the veteran, which he said on SportsCenter on Friday.
"So Rodgers plan A, Kirk Cousins could be a viable plan B." Fowler said. "After making some calls today, I do believe he's been on their radar. If something were to fall through with Rodgers, certainly they could reconvene, call Atlanta, see if they could shake something out. But right now, Rodgers is the guy."
Rodgers being plan A for Pittsburgh is nothing new, but knowing that Cousins is actually on the organization's radar is interesting. The Falcons have expressed interest in hanging on to him as an expensive backup, and he wouldn't be extremely cheap to acquire. The Steelers would have to give up draft capital, while also bringing a devastating contract onto the books.
AP
Kirk Cousins speaks to members of the Atlanta media during the 2024 offseason.
Cousins signed with Atlanta in free agency during the 2024 offseason, and he inked a four-year deal worth $180 million. The deal included $100 million guaranteed and a $50 million signing bonus. Atlanta has already devoted a ton of money to the veteran, which is why the organization is fine to hold onto him despite not intending on playing him. This way the Falcons could demand a fairly high price in a trade, and the Steelers would take on a good chunk of his salary for the 2025 season.
There is no one in the Pittsburgh fan base that is lobbying for the team to make a deal to acquire Cousins. The quarterback had a pretty good career with the then-Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings, but things did not go well with the Falcons in 2024. The veteran quarterback was a turnover machine, and he was replaced by a rookie late in the season.
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Will Howard drops back during his rookie minicamp in 2025.
Steelers Would Be Better Off Giving Howard A Chance
Trading means giving up draft assets and taking on at least part of a larger contract, which would not be worth it for Pittsburgh's current roster. The organization would be better off seeing what Howard could do in his rookie year. If the young quarterback plays well, then the franchise could have its quarterback for the foreseeable future. If he plays poorly, then the team has a worse record and a better chance of landing a quarterback in a decent spot during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Howard has the size and the physical traits to be a decent quarterback in the NFL, and if the coaching staff is Pittsburgh can find a way to properly develop him, there is no reason he shouldn't be able to succeed. He played with a fantastic cast around him at Ohio State, but the quarterback was a major reason that team was able to have so much success.
What do you think of Cousins being on the Steelers radar? Let us know in the comments below!
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