Steelers may have new plan B in mind if Aaron Rodgers doesn't return

A recent report indicated that the Pittsburgh Steelers are prepared to have longtime backup quarterback Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-round draft pick Will Howard compete for the starting job in the event that 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers either retires or signs with a different team. 

However, it appears the Steelers haven't completely slammed the door shut on possibly acquiring a proven veteran not named Rodgers this offseason. 

Could Steelers go from Aaron Rodgers to Kirk Cousins? 

For a piece published on Tuesday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom reported that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins "is among the top options for Pittsburgh if Rodgers is not back." Cousins should be available to sign with any team after the new league year opens at 4 p.m. ET on March 11. 

According to La Canfora, the Steelers "were not interested" in former Miami Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa will reportedly be joining the Falcons. 

La Canfora also repeated previous reports and shared that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray "would like to end up with" the Minnesota Vikings. 

Why Steelers may view Kirk Cousins as a suitable replacement for Aaron Rodgers

Cousins went down with a torn Achilles in October 2023 that seemingly impacted him throughout the 2024 season. More recently, the 37-year-old went 5-2 and recorded 10 touchdown passes with five interceptions while starting for the 2025 Falcons from Week 12 through Week 18.

"Cousins is a quick learner," La Canfora added, "performed much better in the second half of the season with Atlanta and is now fully recovered from an Achilles injury that marred much of his time with the Falcons. Pittsburgh would ideally pair a proven veteran starter with Howard, who they believe improved significantly in their first year as a pro after being selected in the sixth round and has potential starting upside but needs more time to develop."

Howard took no regular-season in-game snaps as a rookie, so outsiders have no real way of knowing how much he improved from May 2025 through this past January. Meanwhile, Rodgers is expected to inform the Steelers of his plans for next season "sooner rather than later."

For what it's worth, a previous report suggested Cousins could wait until later in the offseason to join a new team.