Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers have given Aaron Rodgers all the time he needs to make a decision about his future, regardless of the rumors linking the four-time NFL MVP with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Steelers are still waiting for A-Rod, who left his career up in the air after a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. Tomlin and company seem to have a plan B, one that could once again draw competition from the Vikings.
According to NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic, both Pittsburgh and Minnesota are among three teams expected to explore a trade for Kirk Cousins. The other franchise involved would be the Cleveland Browns.
Russini, however, notes that the Vikings have less chances of landing the Atlanta Falcons quarterback compared to the Steelers and Browns, since the 36-year-old wouldn’t be interested in competing for a job with J.J. McCarthy.
Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.
“The Browns, Steelers and possibly Vikings could be involved in a Cousins trade. Minnesota is looked at as the least likely scenario, given its preference for J.J. McCarthy and that Cousins would need to sign off on any trade he is involved in,” Russini wrote. “It’s believed that Cousins would be against any trade that involves sending him to a situation involving a young QB, similar to the situation he faced in Atlanta last year. If a trade were to happen, I’d expect it to go down on Saturday.”
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NFL News: Mike Tomlin, Steelers expected to part ways with star player regardless of Aaron Rodgers possibility
Kirk Cousins expected to leave Falcons
Cousins is a big name to watch as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, with Russini claiming that he could be one of the veteran quarterbacks to be traded in the next few days. While Aidan O’Connell, Will Levis, and Sam Howell could also be on the move, none of these names garner so much attention as Cousins. The latter, who made the Pro Bowl four times, is seen as the best QB on the market after Rodgers.
Cousins played for the Vikings from 2018 to 2023 after making a name for himself in Washington (2012-2017), but his career went downhill after joining the Falcons last year. It didn’t take long for Atlanta to regret the four-year, $180 million deal handed to Cousins in March 2024, as the team ended up benching him in the final stretch of the regular season.
With former first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. expected to lead the offense in his second year, the Falcons’ recent addition of Easton Stick may push Cousins further away from the organization.
Steelers may have advantage over Vikings
It would make sense if teams that need a veteran quarterback pick up the phone to strike a deal with Atlanta soon. His salary may be a stumbling block though, with only two teams reportedly willing to pay part of Cousins’ salary.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, those teams are the Steelers and the Vikings. Both could use a veteran quarterback of Cousins’ caliber on their depth chart, but Pittsburgh may have a slight advantage.
Though Kevin O’Connell left the door open on Cousins by declaring interest in signing an experienced QB, it is crystal clear that McCarthy will be QB1 moving forward. Tomlin, instead, could feel tempted to start Cousins.
SurveyWhere will Kirk Cousins end up?
Where will Kirk Cousins end up?
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Unless Rodgers comes to town, the starting quarterback position will be up for grabs in Pittsburgh. Right now, Mason Rudolph is in pole position, but things could change after the Draft. If a rookie could compete for the Steelers job, so could Cousins.
