The PIttsburgh Steelers are running out of options at the quarterback position with just a few weeks to the start of OTAs. Pittsburgh selected former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft but he’s still a season or two away from being a starter. As much as we are glad Mason Rudolph is back, even if he starts the season as the starter, there needs to be another player who could step in or even compete with him.
The two names at the top of the list are Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins. Rodgers is a free agent and Cousins is currently with the Atlanta Falcons but looks to be the backup to Michael Penix Jr. Here are three reasons Rodgers makes more sense for the Steelers than Cousins.
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The money
Rodgers has said he’s willing to play in 2025 for $10 million, which is a cap hit that is $30 million less than what Cousins has. Cousins contract runs through 2027 and the money only goes up from there. Rodgers is more of a one-and-done rental.
The time
As we said, Cousins is under contract through 2027 but the Steelers need to tread water this season and then turn to 2026, hoping to land a top quarterback in the draft or move Howard into the starting lineup. Rogers will be moved on and out of the picture but the debate of having Cousins still on the roster would remain
Draft capital
Signing Rodgers just costs money. Signing Cousins will cost draft picks. Pittsburgh is sitting pretty for the 2026 NFL draft and any picks traded away for Cousins are picks the team cannot use to help land a young, franchise quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 3 reasons Aaron Rodgers is a better option than Kirk Cousins for the Steelers