NFL News: Mike Tomlin’s Steelers part ways with defensive player while awaiting Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins

For now, Mike Tomlin has Mason Rudolph as the starting quarterback for the 2025 NFL season. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers are working to finalize the arrival of Aaron Rodgers, who has been delaying his response to the black & gold franchise. As time goes by, Kirk Cousins is emerging as the Plan B.

Both the Steelers and much of the NFL world are operating under the assumption that Rodgers will accept the one-year contract offer Pittsburgh has made. However, Cousins is looking to leave the Atlanta Falcons, and Pittsburgh could be a possible landing spot.

For Cousins to have any chance of joining the Steelers, Rodgers would need to decline the opportunity to join head coach Tomlin’s team. That storyline has captured all the headlines and chatter during the offseason, which also includes other moves in Pittsburgh—such as a defensive player set to leave the team.

Which player will leave the Steelers?

The player set to leave Tomlin’s Steelers is none other than linebacker Thomas Rush, who had signed a futures contract with Pittsburgh following the conclusion of the 2024 season. Rush will no longer be part of the roster and is now available to the rest of the league.

The 25-year-old linebacker had his first NFL experience when he joined the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He spent time on the team’s practice squad before being released during roster cuts that August. Rush has yet to play in an official NFL game.

Other Steelers roster moves

The decision to release Rush is part of a series of roster moves the Steelers are making as they prepare for the upcoming season. Pittsburgh also cut defensive tackle Montravius Adams and cornerback Ryan Watts, whose professional career may have come to an end due to a neck injury.