- Minnesota Vikings. Aaron Rodgers' NFL future in freefall after Vikings' shocking QB trade
- Atlanta Falcons. Why are the Atlanta Falcons keeping QB Kirk Cousins despite benching him in 2024 for Michael Penix?
While Aaron Rodgers continues to evaluate his options, a new candidate is pushing to play under center for the Pittsburgh Steelers. With an awkward situation with the Atlanta Falcons, veteran Kirk Cousins is looking for greener pastures and could find them at Heinz Field if A-Rod doesn't act quickly.
Rodgers' departure from the New York Jets sent shockwaves through the NFL. From the moment the 20-year veteran took off the green and white uniform, virtually every team pursuing a quarterback was linked to his name at one point or another.
The months settled, and while Rodgers remained silent, the doors closed one at a time. Now, only the Steelers stand between A-Rod and unemployment, but insiders say that if he doesn't hurry, Cousins could cut him down the line and take the job in Pittsburgh.
Cousins to the Steelers?
The week before the 2025 NFL Draft, The Athletic's Dianna Russini leaked there's a deal brewing between the Browns, Steelers, and Vikings that could involve Cousins. The veteran signal-caller has already said he wants to leave the Falcons, and Pittsburgh seems like his ideal destination.
"It's believed that Cousins would be against any trade that involves sending him to a situation involving a young QB, similar to the situation he faced in Atlanta last year," Russini revealed, referring to the arrival of rookie Michael Penix Jr., who took the starting job from Cousins midway through the 2024 season.
Following Russell Wilson's departure, Pittsburgh has quarterbacks Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard on their roster. However, the latter is a sixth-round pick who needs to develop before even thinking about being the team's starter, much to Cousins' relief.
What about Rodgers?
The Steelers have the door open for Rodgers. Some analysts believe the possibility of g the four-time MVP shaped the team's strategy for this weekend's draft. Likewise, head coach Mike Tomlin and team owner Art Rooney II have said they are close to an agreement with A-Rod.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, general manager Terry Fontenot said they're willing to listen to offers for Cousins, so the clock is ticking for Rodgers. If he doesn't make a decision soon, it's quite possible teams will make it for him, and that would practically spell the end of the career of one of the best quarterbacks of this century.