It may not be Aaron Rodgers or bust for the Steelers.
Kirk Cousins is “on the very least” on the Steelers’ radar, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported throughout a latest look on “SportsCenter.”
In a Plan B state of affairs, Cousins could possibly be wanted if the free agent Rodgers decides to retire – or if he doesn’t make up his thoughts earlier than the brass of proprietor Artwork Rooney II, common supervisor Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin runs out of endurance.
“So Rodgers Plan A, Kirk Cousins could possibly be a viable Plan B,” Fowler mentioned on SportsCenter. “After making some calls at this time, I do consider he’s been on their radar. If one thing have been to fall by way of with Rodgers, actually they may reconvene, name Atlanta, and see if they may shake one thing out. However proper now, Rodgers is their man.”
In fact, the Steelers must commerce with the Falcons to accumulate Cousins – the NFL’s most costly backup quarterback – and determine how he suits below the wage cap.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million free-agent contract however was benched after solely 14 begins as a result of the Falcons needed to go along with rookie first-round draft choose Michael Penix Jr. Head coach Raheem Morris made it clear that Penix Jr. is the unquestioned starter heading into 2025.
The Falcons reportedly requested groups desirous about buying and selling for Cousins earlier than final month’s draft to tackle no less than $20 million of his remaining $37.5 million assured. He will probably be paid $1.52 million per week throughout the common season.
Cousins’ contract does embrace an out after this 12 months as his remaining two years aren’t assured.
Anybody who was anticipating the Falcons to simply dump an sad Cousins has been flawed at each flip.
The Falcons first saved Cousins on the March deadline when $10 million of his wage went from non-guaranteed to assured, after which once more throughout the draft after they may have sought draft-pick compensation to assist the 2025 roster.
One other key date is June 1, when the salary-cap penalties for buying and selling Cousins will change.
However Cousins in all probability received’t come low-cost to the Steelers if Rodgers doesn’t be a part of the workforce, and so they have much less leverage.
Their present alternate options are journeyman Mason Rudolph, rookie sixth-round choose Will Howard, and profession backup Skylar Thompson.
Cousins, 36, is up towards a ticking clock on the top of his profession. He met with Falcons proprietor Arthur Clean to debate choices to turn out to be a starter elsewhere, however up to now there was no traction.
Perhaps Rodgers’ choice – if it ever occurs – will create momentum for Cousins.
