Mike Tomlin to Sign Kirk Cousins After Falling Behind Divisional Rival as Falcons QB’s Fate Rests in Aaron Rodgers Hands

When Mike Tomlin‘s Steelers picked Will Howard, who was the 2024 CFB national champion team’s QB, fans wanted to see the QB fill in for one more QB. By the time Howard’s decision was made, Shedeur was already picked by the Browns. That means their chance to add a young and long-term QB was gone. So now, the dream of having 4 QBs is still there, and the Falcons QB has emerged as a new option, but there is a catch. 

The Steelers currently have three quarterbacks—Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, and Skyler Thompson—but there is one vacant place. Everybody knows why that place, which is expected to be a QB1 spot, is still not filled. Aaron Rodgers is the answer to that query. The Steelers-Rodgers saga is still not near to end, even though it’s been two months since this love story started. But hold on for a bit. 

While Aaron Rodgers’ option is still there, and the GM and owner are extremely confident about Rodgers’ landing, Kirk Cousins is also an option. And how did this conversation even start? Adam Schefter, an NFL insider, was on First Take. When asked about what Kirk Cousins’ future would be in the NFL, Schefter said, “Well, to me, this would be in the eyes of people across the league, the backup plan in Pittsburgh.” Kirk Cousins as backup, where the QB room includes one rookie, two well-experienced players, and one veteran. What does that sound like, huh? 

If we look at the Steelers’ divisional rivals, the Cleveland Browns, the team has overtaken Mike Tomlin’s franchise in terms of QB situation. The Steelers are still waiting for their starting quarterback while the Browns have booked Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett. So, they are in a better position to solve any QB-related problem mid-season if the franchise wants. 

Getting back to the Steelers, the team would be waiting for Rodgers till the training camp starts. Looking at Kirk Cousins, he is looking for a landing spot, but there is no single spot. Why? We will see that in a while, but let’s check what the backup plan will look like if Cousins is there. In the 2024 season, Kirk passed for 3,508 yards while making 303 out of 453 throws. He completed the passes at a 66.9% rate and landed 18 touchdowns. Impressive, right? And it looks like Kirk Cousins’s journey would be a cakewalk, huh? Hold on, there is an obstacle for Cousins. 

Kirk Cousins in Aaron Rodgers’ shadow

“If Aaron Rodgers decided not to come back to the Steelers because then Kirk Cousins would be a veteran quarterback, that would have some appeal and draw some interest from some teams.” This is what Adam Schefter said when asked about Kirk Cousins’ future. And he gave an answer while pointing out a major issue for Cousins. 

As we know, the Steelers are looking for Aaron Rodgers to shoulder the 2025 season at least. But if you look at the remaining 4th QB position, Kirk Cousins could fit there. But his life in Steel City will be dependent on Rodgers’ decision. The Falcons‘ QB wants to move on from the city, but the main problem is his staggering paycheck. The 36-year-old QB will be having a $27,500,000 base salary in 2025 and a combined $70,000,000 for two years after 2025. So, the question is, who’s gonna bear that amount? 

At the moment, there appears to be only one viable destination for Kirk Cousins, and that’s the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, as we’ve discussed before, the final outcome hinges heavily on what Aaron Rodgers decides to do.

If Rodgers ends up in the Steel City, it would effectively shut the door on Cousins’ potential move there. On the other hand, if Rodgers opts for a different team or chooses not to return at all, it could pave the way for Cousins to don the black and gold. All eyes are now on Rodgers as his decision looms large over the future of both quarterbacks and the Steelers’ offseason plans.

The post Mike Tomlin to Sign Kirk Cousins After Falling Behind Divisional Rival as Falcons QB’s Fate Rests in Aaron Rodgers Hands appeared first on EssentiallySports.