AFC North reporter says Steelers' contingency plan at quarterback is likely to include trading for four-time Pro Bowler
Right now, the Pittsburgh Steelers' top priority at quarterback remains Aaron Rodgers. But should that fall through, they have Mason Rudolph and a rookie in the draft as their backup plan. Only, trading for a 4x Pro Bowler could also be in the mix, according to Mary Kay Cabot… Steelers interested in Kirk Cousins Trade? […]
Right now, the Pittsburgh Steelers' top priority at quarterback remains Aaron Rodgers.
But should that fall through, they have Mason Rudolph and a rookie in the draft as their backup plan.
Only, trading for a 4x Pro Bowler could also be in the mix, according to Mary Kay Cabot…
Steelers interested in Kirk Cousins Trade?
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.
– Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland.Com
The Steelers are still in wait-and-see mode at quarterback. After a more than stellar meeting with Aaron Rodgers, he remains unsigned and the Steelers starting quarterback situation remains up in the air, with all options on the table according to the man who calls the shots…
"We're still evaluating the acquisition of a guy at the position, whether it's free agency and/or the draft, and so we're doing our due diligence communicating with some free agents. Also preparing for the draft," said Steelers HC Mike Tomlin on Sunday at the annual NFL owners meetings.
The move to trade for Cousins would be an interesting one for Pittsburgh. A stable veteran in his own right, Cousins doesn't have the resume of Rodgers, but he does have the same Achilles injury that plagued his 2024 season as well, leading to his benching with the Atlanta Falcons.
Optimistically speaking, Cousins is five years the junior of Rodgers and will be a year away from a year away of the achilles tear, which is when players tend to return to form.
It is both ironic and concerning, however, that the Steelers top two veteran options at quarterback are two players who recently had Achilles tears and are coming off less than great years, with one being cut (Rodgers and New York Jets) and the other potentially being shopped via trade (Cousins).
No matter which way they go, or if the veteran route at all, Mason Rudolph waits in the wings, and they seem just fine with that in Pittsburgh…
“We're optimistic about the room that we're constructing," added Tomlin. "Obviously, we're excited about having Mason Rudolph back. But certainly we're going to continue to explore all our options in terms of rounding that room out.”
