If Kirk Cousins becomes the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fallback plan, one team employee won’t be happy about it. During an Asked and Answered piece published Thursday, Steelers.com writer and editor Bob Labriola didn’t mince words about his feelings on Pittsburgh potentially pivoting to Cousins.
“I am a hard no on Kirk Cousins,” Labriola wrote in response to one reader who asked him to choose between Cousins and Aaron Rodgers.
Short, sweet, and an absolute answer. Labriola’s opinion might not be unique, but it’s notable coming from someone who works for the Steelers. Rarely does Labriola offer such a straightforward answer about a player, even one not on Pittsburgh’s roster.
Cousins is waiting for his next home after two failed years in Atlanta. Signed to be the team’s franchise quarterback, he ultimately started 22 games with 21 interceptions. A backup throughout 2025 until Michael Penix Jr. got hurt, the Falcons cut Cousins loose at the start of the new league year.
After Rodgers, Cousins is the top free agent quarterback on the market. Given that Rodgers seems likely to take one of two tracks, retire of re-sign with Pittsburgh, Cousins is the top “true” free agent available. So far, he’s proven not to be in a rush to sign anywhere. With the other top quarterbacks available this offseason finding homes — Tua Tagovailoa replaced him in Atlanta, Kyler Murry signed with Minnesota –and a weak draft class, Cousins can exercise plenty of patience.
Some have speculated Cousins landing in Las Vegas as Fernando Mendoza’s mentor. Or Arizona, a team without a clear starting option. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has pushed Pittsburgh hard as a pivot point, though he’s yet to say the Steelers definitively have interest in Cousins.
Ultimately, Labriola’s opinion won’t dictate what Pittsburgh does or doesn’t do should Rodgers not return to the Steelers. But if Cousins does find his way to the team, at least one media member close to the organization won’t be a fan of it.
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