The Pittsburgh Steelers are still trying to fill the gaping hole at their quarterback position. Expectations across the league are that Aaron Rodgers will return for one more year, but he could always pull a fast one and reject Pittsburgh at any given moment. Many fans are already sick and tired of playing the waiting game with him. Reports say that a decision will be known by the 2026 NFL Draft, but who knows if that's actually the case?
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks into the distance with intense focus as he stands in street clothes while the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
While hosting The Breer Report recently, NFL insider Albert Breer spoke about how the Steelers are still making moves to win now, and that could lead to another veteran bridge quarterback getting signed if Rodgers does not return to Pittsburgh.
"The Pittsburgh situation is interesting: every move they have made this offseason has screamed, 'We are still in it with our core.' I thought last year was the last swing for the core. Not the case..." Breer said. "This is a situation that is set up for a veteran quarterback. I still think it's going to be Aaron Rodgers. If it's not, I can see that being where Kirk Cousins goes."
There has been a lot of talk about Will Howard being the guy if Rodgers does not come back, but as Breer said and as Art Rooney II has repeatedly mentioned, the Steelers are not interested in rebuilding. They are ready to retool and win now. With that logic, it would not make sense for them to roll with a former sixth-round pick who has not even gotten the chance to show what he can do in the preseason, let alone a regular season game.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Will Howard gets ready to unleash a pass as he runs through a drill as the team works out during the annual Friday Night Lights practice in Latrobe, PA.
Foolish or not, the Steelers will want to make any move that raises the floor, so they don't have a losing season. Getting a veteran like Kirk Cousins would fit that line of thinking. If 2027's quarterback class is as strong as everyone says it is, he would be the last bridge guy before Pittsburgh finally gets their new face of the franchise. That is a big if though, and one that many fans would be disappointed in.
In 2025, when Cousins came off the bench after Michael Penix Jr. suffered a season-ending injury, he played the conservative style of quarterback that the team has loved. In 10 games and eight starts, he had over 1,700 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He was not nearly as aggressive as he had been in past years. It sounds just like someone the Steelers would sign.
Danny Karnik / Associated Press
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws a pass during an NFL home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2024 season.
On top of that, Cousins could come for the veteran minimum. The Atlanta Falcons are paying him $10 million to not play for them. At this point in the offseason, it is highly unlikely that he gets a contract with a lot more than that, so he could sign for as little as possible while the Falcons foot the bill for his services. That would give the Steelers more money to throw around and improve the rest of the roster even more.
Steelers May Be On A Bridge Quarterback To Nowhere
Everyone said that the 2026 draft class would be loaded at the passer position, and it has instead become one of the most underwhelming, disappointing classes in a long time. There's no reason for the Steelers to just bank on 2027 being any different. It that class is also underwhelming, we're having the same exact conversations about Pittsburgh's quarterback situation that we have had for the past few years.
What do you think about the Steelers possibly signing Cousins to avoid tanking? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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