Free agency has officially opened in the NFL, and the Pittsburgh Steelers still don’t have a quarterback. They could still sign Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, but both of them seem to have other options. If Rodgers and Wilson sign elsewhere, the Steelers could be the odd team out. The remaining free-agent quarterbacks aren’t inspiring. However, insider James Palmer believes the Steelers could trade for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
“If Aaron Rodgers goes to the Giants and the Steelers are left without a quarterback, they may want Kirk Cousins,” Palmer said Wednesday on Bleacher Report’s YouTube channel. “If the Falcons are hanging on to him right now, and there’s a date in mind here, which is March 17th, Monday. He’s due $10 million as part of his 2026 contract.
“So essentially, they’re on the hook after Monday for $100 million for two years. If they do something by releasing him before Monday, they’re on the hook for $90 million for two years. What’s the difference in $10 million to them if they can continue to wait out Aaron Rodgers and wait out this process, and then possibly buy a pick back from, say, the Steelers.”
Palmer brings up an interesting scenario. The New York Giants are reportedly interested in Rodgers and Wilson. Wilson also has a visit scheduled with the Cleveland Browns, while Rodgers is reportedly interested in the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers have competition for the best free-agent quarterbacks left on the market.
Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, is an interesting figure at this point in his career. For most of his career, Cousins has been a solid starter. During the middle of the 2023 season, he tore his Achilles. Following that, he signed with the Falcons on a massive, four-year contract worth a total of $180 million. Unfortunately, he didn’t look the same coming off of that brutal injury, taking a serious step back.
Cousins will also turn 37 years old before the 2025 season starts, so there’s concern he’ll continue to decline. However, perhaps another year removed from that injury will do him some good. 2024 was not kind to him. In 14 games, he threw 16 interceptions and only 18 touchdowns.
However, he still might be the Steelers’ best option under center after Wilson and Rodgers. The biggest hold-up in acquiring him would likely be his contract. It’s a bad deal that no team wants to take on. However, Palmer believes the Falcons might be willing to retain much of Cousins’ salary.
“Do [the Falcons] buy a pick and say, ‘We’ll eat this amount of money. You bring Kirk Cousins in for $15 million, which is nothing. We’ll pay the rest. We’ll buy a draft pick from you.'”
The Falcons eating most of the money on Cousins’ contract would make him more appealing to the Steelers. Giving up more draft capital likely wouldn’t be ideal after they traded their second-round pick for DK Metcalf. However, beggars can’t be choosers. If the Steelers miss out on Rodgers and Wilson, they’ll probably be close to begging.
Cousins isn’t perfect, but he’s likely the best of the rest. He could give the Steelers a solid veteran option for this year. They likely wouldn’t have to give up significant draft capital to acquire him, either. They’re in a rough situation. Cousins might help them stay competitive in 2025 if the Falcons choose to trade him.
