ESPN analysts examine Kirk Cousins’ fit with the Steelers if Aaron Rodgers’ deal falls through

As the calendar moves to June, Aaron Rodgers still hasn’t signed with the Steelers. That has the ESPN Get Up crew wondering if Kirk Cousins could be an option in Pittsburgh, provided an agreement doesn’t come to fruition between the franchise and the former Green Bay Packers and New York Jets quarterback.

Kimberly Martin recognizes Cousins is owed a ton of money, and it’ll take a trade to bring him to the Steelers. She believes Cousins could be an option, or perhaps a different more low-profile veteran if Rodgers doesn’t sign: “Kirk is owed a lot of money, guaranteed money this year. If you’re gonna say — if we’re gonna wait for one aging quarterback, I’ll wait for Aaron Rodgers,” she stated.

“Otherwise, Omar Khan said we will have four quarterbacks when training camp comes. It may not be Kirk Cousins, it may be somebody else. It may it just might not be a high profile guy.”

Alas, it makes sense for the Steelers to wait on Rodgers before they pivot. That’s where the team stands at the moment, Peter Schrager confirmed. The fellow ESPN analyst can understand why fans are connecting Cousins to Pittsburgh, but he doesn’t think the situation is as simple as that.

“The Cousins situation makes a lot of sense on paper,” Schrager admitted. “Raheem [Morris] and [Mike] Tomlin are as thick as thieves, those guys, if there was a conversation could be done. Arthur Smith worked for that organization, didn’t end on horrible terms. They could have a conversation. I just don’t think the Steelers are really pushing that, and I don’t think Cousins is either.”

Cousins signed a four-year contract with Atlanta last season worth $180 million, including $100 million guaranteed. The Falcons also drafted a quarterback with the No. 8 pick in the NFL Draft, selecting Michael Penix Jr., who later took the starting job from Cousins as he struggled during his first year in Atlanta. Cousins threw for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns, but led the league with 16 interceptions.

That dynamic led to trade rumors as the quarterback carousel started to spin. However, no deal came together, meaning Cousins is currently in line to return to the Falcons in 2025 as Penix gets ready for his second season in the league.

While that could certainly change if Aaron Rodgers decides he doesn’t want to play for the Steelers, it’s a bridge Pittsburgh doesn’t seem willing to cross at the moment. Still, desperate times call for desperate measures. We’ll see if they change their tune later this offseason.