Steelers And AFC North Rival Named As Best Landing Spots For Veteran Quarterback

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been without a starting quarterback for weeks now, seemingly having their hearts set on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. While Rodgers is taking a while to make up his mind, the organization has been patiently waiting. As the search for a quarterback drags on, many names have been thrown around as alternatives to Rodgers. Mike Florio named the Steelers as an ideal landing spot for another veteran quarterback, but said that one of Pittsburgh's AFC North rivals would also be a candidate to land the experienced signal-caller.

Florio thinks the Steelers and their rivals, the Cleveland Browns, are the most ideal landing spots for quarterback Kirk Cousins. Florio wrote that the Atlanta Falcons are looking for a chance to trade Cousins, and that the quarterback is waiting until after the 2025 NFL Draft to decide if he will waive his no-trade clause. 

"In four weeks, we'll all know whether one or more teams will still be looking for a starting quarterback. At this point, however, the universe seems to be fairly small. It consists of two possibilities: the Steelers and the Browns," Wrote Florio.

It's been widely speculated that the Steelers will draft a quarterback with one of their later-round picks. Pittsburgh could take a prospect such as Jaxon Dart or Jalen Milroe, regardless of what Rodgers does. If the Steelers were to acquire Cousins, it would likely be a last resort after missing out on Rodgers. However, if Cousins is dealt to the Steelers, it could be a bad move on Pittsburgh's part, considering they already have a veteran quarterback in Mason Rudolph.

A more risky, and far less likely choice for the Steelers is drafting a quarterback in the first-round. If that were the case, Dart could be their first choice depending on how the top prospects fall, but the team has so many other needs. Pittsburgh is unlikely to use its first-round pick on a signal-caller at this juncture.

Steelers Don't Need Cousins As Much As He Needs Them

Any team really only needs a single veteran to back up their starter. Any chance Cousins had of being dealt to the Steelers likely disappeared when Pittsburgh brought back Rudolph. If the Steelers are committed to getting another veteran quarterback, then a choice between Rodgers and Cousins isn't an exciting one to make. However, the Steelers seemingly want Rodgers over Cousins, given how long they are waiting.

Another reason that Cousins could sign with the Browns is that Cleveland's Kevin Stefanski spent two years with Cousins during their time together with the Minnesota Vikings. Stefanski could know how to make the most of Cousins, and the quarterback could be most comfortable playing for his former coach. As disappointing as it sounds to say that the Browns are your best option, it may be the situation that Cousins is in right now.

Florio also mentioned the Tennessee Titans as a team that could soon be in the running for Cousins. Florio says that in doing so, the Titans would likely have to trade away their first-round pick and give up on quarterback Cam Ward, but that Tennessee has done some unconventional things in the past, so it can't be ruled out.

As the Steelers' search continues, it's unclear who their starting quarterback will be in 2025. They could have Rodgers, a Super Bowl champion and four-time NFL MVP, or a rookie from the draft. While it's unclear what Pittsburgh's quarterback room will look like in the upcoming season, it is clearer what they aren't going to do. Getting Cousins is a possibility, but a slim one. If the Steelers are after a veteran, it's hard to imagine that Cousins is the most attractive candidate for the job.

Do you think the Steelers should acquire Cousins? Do you think Pittsburgh is an ideal team for the veteran? Let us know in the comments.

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