The Pittsburgh Steelers still don't know who their starting quarterback will be for the 2026 NFL season.
It won't be Kirk Cousins, though.
That wasn't their first choice, but in the scenario where Aaron Rodgers decides to retire (or decides to sign with the recently rumored Broncos), the Steelers would need someone to pivot to.
Cousins won't be a choice anymore. He has signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Cousins will be a veteran mentor to the Raiders' presumed first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.
In the meantime, the Steelers' options are dwindling. They've seriously backed themselves into a corner.
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Steelers, Aaron Rodgers await decision
The Steelers can't afford for Rodgers to do anything else other than return to Pittsburgh.
Without him, it's Will Howard or Mason Rudolph or a veteran off the scrap heap to be their QB1. Even with Rodgers aging, those other guys aren't likely a better choice than him.
The Steelers were never the leader in a Cousins pursuit, but they may have turned to him eventually if things didn't go their way with Rodgers.
Now, if Rodgers chooses something other than Pittsburgh, it's down to the likes of Russell Wilson or Carson Wentz.
Pittsburgh has certainly made things tough on itself here.
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