Kirk Cousins
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Kirk Cousins is off the free agent market as the Pittsburgh Steelers still only have two quarterbacks on their roster.
There is still a question mark surrounding the quarterback position for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be trending towards a decision to return to play for the organization in 2026, nothing official has come to fruition.
In the process of waiting for Rodgers, don’t make the mistake of thinking that the Steeelers didn’t have any backup plans. In fact, they have had their eyes on one notable veteran quarterback who is now off the market. According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins, who recently signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, was reportedly an option for the Steelers in their seaarch for a quarterback.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Believe in Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
GettyIf he returns to play for the Steelers in 2026, Aaron Rodgers will be one of just three quarterbacks all-time to have played at least 22 NFL seasons.
Here is what Pelissero had to say via The Rich Eisen Show on Thursday regarding the Steelers’ interest level in Cousins before he signed with the Raiders:
“Kirk Cousins was on the Steelers’ radar, just like he was on the Steelers’ radar a year ago…They did call and check his availability while waiting for Rodgers, which, remember, didn’t resolve itself until June last year. They were checking on a bunch of different contingency plans, Cousins was one of them.”
Pelissero also noted that the Atlanta Falcons weren’t interested in making him available when Pittsburgh checked in last season. But this offseason, if Rodgers had made the decision earlier to not return, the Steelers were interested in pursuing Cousins.
The fact that Pittsburgh decided not to go all the way in on adding Cousins is proof that the organization clearly believes in Rodgers. Again, while nothing is official yet, the four-time MVP appears to be the clear-cut top option for the Steelers, especially after the strong season that he put forth in 2025.
Aaron Rodgers Can Take the Steelers Further Than Kirk Cousins Ever Could Have
Aaron Rodgers Omar Khan
GettyAaron Rodgers threw 24 touchdown passes in 2025.
If Rodgers and the Steelers can officially come terms, the contention window is still open. Had Cousins been signed instead, the ceiling of the team would be much lower. For starters, Rodgers is going to be a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. Cousins likely won’t ever be inducted into Canton unless he were to somehow take the Raiders to a Super Bowl. The legend in Rodgers guided the Steelers to their first AFC North title in five years at 42 years of age last season after battling injuries with the New York Jets. Cousins has been to the playoffs just once in the last six years.
So, this is not a debate. Rodgers is the much better option, especially seeing as he has one year to build off of as it pertains to playing for Pittsburgh. Furthermore, his past history playing for head coach Mike McCarthy gives him even more of an advantage over Cousins. In 11 seasons as the Packers‘ starter under McCarthy, Rodgers helped the team reach the playoff eight times, win the NFC North five times, and take home a Super Bowl.