Report: Cousins could be Steelers' backup plan if Rodgers doesn't sign

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is on the Pittsburgh Steelers' radar as a contingency plan if Aaron Rodgers doesn't join the AFC franchise, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports.

The Steelers have been linked to Rodgers since the start of free agency, but the quarterback has yet to decide on his future. Pittsburgh hosted the 41-year-old on a free-agent visit earlier this offseason, and team owner Art Rooney II said during the NFL draft that he expected an answer from Rodgers soon.

Cousins has frequently come up in trade buzz since the Falcons suggested they'd make Michael Penix Jr. their starter. However, Atlanta would need another team to offset a portion of Cousins' $37.5 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons, though the feeling around the league is that the Falcons haven't been willing to budge, Fowler adds.

Cousins inked a four-year, $180-million contract with the Falcons last offseason, which also contains a no-trade clause. He was benched for the final three games of the 2024 campaign after posting a 7-7 record with 18 touchdowns and a league-high 16 interceptions.

The Steelers' quarterback room currently consists of Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard.