The Pittsburgh Steelers remain interested in acquiring four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. However, FOX Sports personality Nick Wright believes the team should look elsewhere, advocating for veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins instead.
On the March 21 episode of First Things First, Wright explained why Cousins would be a better option than Rodgers.
“I don’t think 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers is a game-changer at this stage of his career,” Wright said, via Steelers Depot’s Jeremy Pike. “I don’t think he’s worth the investment.
“If I were the Steelers and preferred a veteran quarterback over drafting one, I’d just call Atlanta and offer a sixth-round pick for Kirk Cousins. He brings no drama and is significantly younger.”
Wright also pointed out that over the past three seasons, Rodgers’ performance has been statistically inferior to Cousins’. Since 2022, Rodgers has recorded a 63.7% completion rate with 6.7 yards per attempt, compared to Cousins’ 67% completion rate and 7.4 yards per attempt.
In that span, Rodgers has thrown 54 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in 35 games, while Cousins has posted 65 touchdowns and 35 interceptions over 39 games.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract last offseason.
Why Kirk Cousins Could Make Sense for the Steelers
Wright isn’t the only analyst linking Kirk Cousins to the Steelers. Bleacher Report columnists have also speculated that Pittsburgh could be a landing spot for the veteran quarterback multiple times this offseason.
However, there is no concrete evidence that the Steelers view Cousins as even a backup plan to Rodgers.
Pittsburgh hosted Rodgers for a visit at their team facility on March 21, but the team is still waiting to see whether the 41-year-old is willing to sign with them.
If Rodgers declines, Cousins could emerge as a logical alternative.
Despite leading the NFL with 16 interceptions last season—including nine in his final five games before being benched—Cousins revealed he was dealing with an injured right elbow and shoulder during that stretch. That could explain his sudden drop in performance from October to November.
Last year also marked Cousins’ first season back from a torn Achilles tendon. While Rodgers suffered the same injury, his occurred earlier in the 2023 season, giving him more time to recover before Week 1 of 2024.
At 37 in August, Cousins is nearly five years younger than Rodgers, making him a younger alternative if the Steelers decide to pursue him.
How Much Could Cousins Cost on Trade Market?
It’s clear that Aaron Rodgers is the Steelers’ top quarterback target. If they fail to sign him, however, they may consider circling back to Russell Wilson. The team might prefer that option over giving up draft capital for a soon-to-be 37-year-old.
On March 22, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Wilson is “not totally off the [Steelers’] list.” However, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero offered a much bleaker outlook for Wilson in Pittsburgh, stating that he would be “very surprised” if the veteran returned to the team under any circumstances.
The cost of acquiring Kirk Cousins may influence whether the Steelers view him as a fallback option to Rodgers. NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that Cousins’ asking price could be a third-round pick. The Falcons seem to be holding out for a solid draft return for Cousins, and if the Steelers become desperate enough, Atlanta may gain leverage in any trade talks.
However, the Falcons might also be open to any trade that provides them salary relief. FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported that a current NFL general manager said the Falcons are “calling everyone right now that will listen” to offers for Cousins. The veteran is set to be a $40 million backup quarterback in Atlanta this season.
Until the Steelers secure a starting quarterback, Cousins’ market remains worth watching. But as of March 22, it seems the team’s primary focus is still on Rodgers.
Be the first to comment