NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero indicated that Pittsburgh previously inquired about Cousins with the Atlanta Falcons last offseason, though the Falcons did not pursue a trade at the time. Pelissero framed Cousins as a logical fallback for the Steelers should their plans hinge on a Rodgers pivot.
Cousins, who turns 38 in August, is not the ideal age for many free-agent quarterbacks, but the Steelers have shown a willingness to add veteran leadership to their locker room. Rodgers is due to turn 43 later this year, underscoring the Steelers’ apparent openness to experienced signal-calling options.
Cousins’ 2022-23 season with the Falcons saw him start 8 games (10 appearances total) amid an injury-filled slate for Michael Penix Jr. He completed 61.7% of his passes, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt, with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. While those numbers aren’t extraordinary, Cousins brings durability, a proven starter profile, and playoff-tested experience.
The report suggests Pittsburgh’s interest in Cousins may reflect broader strategy: assemble an older, veteran-friendly roster while pursuing stability at quarterback, following recent acquisitions of quarterbacks over 35 in the past two seasons. While Cousins hasn’t won a Super Bowl, he has logged 174 NFL games, throwing for more than 44,000 yards and 298 touchdowns across his career, with multiple Pro Bowl selections.
If Rodgers remains in play or pivots away, the Steelers could reassess their quarterback market with Cousins as a potential option, leveraging his veteran presence and steady production to anchor their offense.
