Perhaps the wildest offseason in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers took place behind centre. That does not, however, imply that drama will stop. There’s a chance Pittsburgh might acquire quarterback Kirk Cousins, who commentators linked to the Steelers this summer.
How the Steelers Might Sign Kirk Cousins
For a Cousins-Steelers union to happen, a lot of things need to happen. However, it is not completely implausible.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN speculated that the Atlanta Falcons would trade Cousins after 2024 in exchange for Michael Penix Jr., the eighth overall choice. Cousins may fit in with the Steelers if that happens.
On May 8, Barnwell said, “The other possible landing spots appear to be with the Raiders, Steelers, and Titans, none of whom have a settled quarterback of the future.” “A experienced starter may also be needed by the Dolphins, Seahawks, Giants, Jets, Saints, and even the Dolphins.
“Cousins will be marketable next year if he performs well in 2024 and he and the Falcons decide to part ways.”
This offseason, Cousins inked a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta. But Penix, who will turn 25 in May of next year, was selected by the Falcons with their first-round choice. The organisation will probably feel pressure to move Penix to the starting position behind centre before the completion of his sophomore year.
Cousins may decide to end his career somewhere as a result of that.
Although Justin Fields and Russell Wilson were both added by the Steelers this offseason, neither quarterback has a deal that runs through 2024.
“[Cousins] can make the team pay him that $100 million over two years before going on to Penix for the 2026 season because he has a full no-trade clause,” Barnwell wrote. Naturally, after recently arriving in Atlanta, Cousins might not want to leave, but he could also not want to sit behind Penix in 2025 if the Falcons are prepared to move on.
Barnwell clarified that if the Falcons traded Cousins following the 2024 campaign, they would really save $2.5 million. Atlanta would have paid Cousins $62.5 million for just one season, with a $37.5 million dead money cap hit. However, the Falcons “wouldn’t be responsible for the $37.5 million in guaranteed money.”
After 2024, there is no other rational way for the Falcons to let go of Cousins. Barnwell stated that the Falcons will incur a $65 million dead cap penalty over the 2025 and 2026 seasons if they choose to simply dismiss the seasoned quarterback in the spring of 2020. Cousins will have received $90 million from the franchise for a single season.
Ironically, Cousins will need to have a strong season if the Falcons are to let him go after 2024. If he does, a team in need of a quarterback might consider trading for him.
If Wilson and Fields don’t perform well in the offseason, the Steelers may find themselves looking for a signal caller once more. Since neither is committed for the 2025 season, it stands to reason that the Steelers will start fresh at quarterback the next season, much like they did with Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett the previous one.
