There has been no indication from NFL insiders that the Pittsburgh Steelers have shown an interest in available quarterbacks besides Aaron Rodgers this offseason. But on Friday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the Steelers showed previous interest in one signal-caller who is still on the free agent market this spring — Kirk Cousins.
Pelissero told NFL Network studio host Rich Eisen on Friday that the Steelers inquired about Cousins with the Atlanta Falcons last offseason.
“I know that they called on him last year, and the Falcons at the time didn’t want to trade him, didn’t want to engage in trade talks,” said Pelissero.
For that reason, the NFL insider then argued Cousins is the logical Plan B for the Steelers to have to Rodgers this offseason.
“Now Kirk Cousins is free. Cousins potentially could be an option if they pivot away from Aaron Rodgers, which hasn’t happened yet.”
Cousins will turn 38 years old in August. That’s not the ideal age for a free agent quarterback for most teams around the league.
It isn’t necessarily ideal for the Steelers, but they clearly don’t care much about age behind center. Rodgers will turn 43 in December.
Cousins led the Falcons to a 5-3 record while playing for an injured Michael Penix Jr. last season. He completed 61.7% of his passes for only 6.4 yards per pass. But he also had 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 appearances, including eight starts.
Steelers Previously Tried to Trade for QB Kirk Cousins: Report
It’s not exactly clear how deep Pittsburgh’s interest was in Cousins last offseason. Based on Pelissero’s report, the negotiations didn’t even take place.
The Steelers reportedly kicked the tires on a lot of different quarterbacks last offseason. The team may have just been doing their due diligence by calling the Falcons.
But Pelissero appears to think there could be significant interest from the Steelers if Rodgers elects not to return.
The connection makes sense. To put together the best team possible, the Steelers have signed two different quarterbacks the past two years older than 35. Before Rodgers, the team added Russell Wilson in 2024.
Cousins hasn’t won a Super Bowl like those other two quarterbacks. But he’s won 88 games as a starter and has veteran experience. He would be a natural fit in Pittsburgh’s older locker room.
In 174 NFL games, Cousins has thrown for 44,700 yards with 298 touchdowns. He has made four Pro Bowls, with the most recent one being 2022.
Steelers Not Interested in Cousins?
The Steelers have not made their feelings on Cousins public. But Steelers.com’s Bob Labriola had an intriguing quick answer about the veteran quarterback on Thursday.
When asked in a fan Q&A story if the Cousins or Rodgers was a better option for Pittsburgh in 2026, Labriola responded:
“I am a hard-no on Kirk Cousins.”
While Labriola doesn’t have any say in who the team will start at quarterback next season, that response is noteworthy.
It came in a published Q&A story. Labriola likely had his choice to include dozens of different quarterback-related questions. Yet, he chose that one and made very clear he wouldn’t sign Cousins.
Again, that’s not his decision. But it would be rather odd for the Steelers to pursue Cousins after someone from their organization so publicly claimed he didn’t want him.
At the very least, it would be an awkward first encounter for the Steelers.com writer if Cousins were to become the team’s starter.
That doesn’t rule out Cousins as an option for the Steelers. But it’s probably not a stretch to suggest Cousins isn’t particularly high on the Steelers offseason wish list.
That could be true even if they previously tried to trade for him.
Steelers Made Prior Trade Inquiry on QB Still Available in NFL Free Agency: Report