Cousins to the Steel City? Exploring How Kirk Cousins Could Elevate the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ search for a long-term answer at quarterback has been a winding road since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. After a season of mixed results with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields under center, could Kirk Cousins be the missing piece to elevate the Steelers back to Super Bowl contention?

The Steelers’ Quarterback Carousel

Since Roethlisberger’s departure, the Steelers have been searching for stability at the quarterback position. General Manager Omar Khan admitted it hasn’t been easy finding a long-term solution. The Steelers have churned through quarterbacks, including Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson. In 2024, the Steelers had an all-new quarterback group, and in 2025, they will have another new quarterback group.

2024 Offensive Struggles and Areas for Improvement

In 2024, the Steelers’ offense ranked 23rd in the NFL, averaging 317.2 yards per game. While this was an improvement from 304.3 yards in 2023, there’s still significant room for growth. The Steelers averaged 22.4 points per game, which ranked 16th in the league. The Steelers’ passing game averaged 192.0 yards per game. Quarterbacks threw “check down passes” on 13.4% of their attempts, the highest rate in the league. The Steelers’ offensive line allowed 49 sacks during the regular season. The team’s rushing attack averaged 4.1 yards per carry, totaling 2,166 yards over the season.

Kirk Cousins: A Potential Upgrade?

Kirk Cousins, currently with the Atlanta Falcons, has emerged as a potential target for the Steelers. NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo identified the Steelers as a possible landing spot for Cousins amid rumored trade talks ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Bleacher Report’s Mitch Milani suggested that the Steelers could trade for Cousins by offering a 2026 fifth-round draft pick.

Cousins, 36, is a four-time Pro Bowler with 163 career starts. In 2024, Cousins had a passer rating of 88.6 with 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions in 14 games. He completed 303 of 453 passes.

The Case for Cousins

Veteran Leadership: Cousins brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the quarterback position.
Proven Production: Cousins has consistently put up solid numbers throughout his career. In 2018, he completed a career-best 425 of 660 passes for 4,298 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Potential Fit with Steelers’ Offense: With a strong running game led by Najee Harris and a talented receiving corps featuring George Pickens, Cousins could thrive in the Steelers’ offensive system.

Potential Obstacles

Cousins’ Contract: Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons. Any trade would require navigating his contract and potential salary cap implications.
No-Trade Clause: Cousins has a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he would need to approve any trade to the Steelers.
Cousins’ 2024 Performance: Cousins’ 16 interceptions in 2024 were a concern. Some analysts have questioned his arm strength.

The Aaron Rodgers Factor

The Steelers have also been linked to Aaron Rodgers. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Cousins is “at the very least” on the Steelers’ radar as a contingency plan if the Rodgers situation doesn’t materialize. However, the Steelers have been issued a brutal warning on the Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins situation.

What the Analysts Are Saying

CBS’s Mike Renner warned the Steelers about pursuing Cousins, stating, “His arm is not strong enough to play in the…it’s the most demanding arm-strength division in the NFL.”
Bleacher Report’s Mitch Milani suggested that the Falcons might be willing to shed Cousins after drafting Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Current Quarterback Room

As of now, the Steelers’ quarterback room consists of Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard. Rudolph, who spent the first six seasons of his career with the Steelers, signed as a free agent this offseason. The Steelers also drafted Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Steelers’ Options in the 2025 NFL Draft

NFL Mocks identified Jaxson Dart and Quinn Ewers as potential quarterback targets for the Steelers in the 2025 NFL Draft. Both are dual-threat quarterbacks with the potential to develop into NFL starters.

The Bottom Line

Whether it’s Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, or a rookie from the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers need to find a quarterback who can provide stability and elevate the offense. The Steelers have been patient with Rodgers, but his decision seems to be ongoing. The team has been linked to free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is still deciding if he would like to play an 21st NFL season or venture off into the sunset. If Rodgers does eventually sign with the Steelers, Howard wouldn’t mind learning from the four-time Most Valuable Player.