Aaron Rodgers, Steelers update favors Falcons’ chances of Kirk Cousins trade

There’s a non-zero chance that the Falcons make one more notable offseason move, but the only feasible scenario is if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t end up signing with the Steelers.

Sure, there could be an injury to an established starter on a playoff contender during training camp, but the likelihood that comes to fruition is incredibly slim. The Falcons’ best chance of a Kirk Cousins trade coming together is a deal with Pittsburgh.

Fortunately, it seems a positive development has emerged that favors Atlanta. On a recent episode of The Rich Eisen Show, Tom Pelissero had this to say about the Aaron Rodgers drama in Pittsburgh:

“I have been told that he has not affirmatively told the Steelers that he’s coming. Certainly, all indications — if you just look at it logically — are that he’s coming, based on his comments about, ‘Hey, there’s a team that plays in Chicago I might play for; I’m not playing in New Orleans,’” Pelissero said. “He took one visit [with the Steelers]. He’s been throwing with DK Metcalf. He talks all the time with Mike Tomlin. I know he’s talked with Arthur Smith. So, there are all these signs that he’s coming, but he has not affirmatively said, ‘Hey, June 9 — book me a ticket, I’m coming in and I’m going to join this team.’”

I still think the most likely scenario is that Aaron Rodgers signs with the Steelers, and the Falcons are stuck with Kirk Cousins. It might not be ideal, but it’s the bed the team made. Now, they must lie in it.

As Pelissero noted, Rodgers has been in contact with Arthur Smith and throwing with DK Metcalf, who the Steelers traded for and gave $132 million this offseason. That would suggest a deal is imminent, but Aaron Rodgers likes to do things his own way, much like his predecessor back in Green Bay, Brett Favre.

If I had to guess, Pittsburgh and Rodgers more than likely have a handshake deal. While Falcons fans can all hope that doesn’t become a reality, we might want to start wrapping are heads around the idea of Kirk Cousins being on the sidelines of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 1.