It's down to one quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers if Aaron Rodgers decides not to return in 2026.
The Pittsburgh Steelers options at quarterback have all but run out as they continue to wait for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision about whether he plans to play in 2026. It just so turns out they may only have one option left.
According to a report shared by First Things First , veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is among the top options for the Steelers if Rodgers decides to not return next season.
"I'd be furious by it," Danny Parkins said. " Kirk Cousins cannot win, at this point, with that mobility, with yet another new team. Like, why? We saw him in Atlanta."
It would certainly take some convincing by the Steelers to get fans on board with soon-to-be 38-year-old Cousins after he struggled in his first year with the Falcons, completing 303 of 453 passes (66.9%) for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions before being benched for rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Then in 2025, he stepped in for the injured Penix Jr., completing 166 of 269 passes (61.7%) for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games.
That, of course, has left much to be desired from Cousins, but the Steelers might be forced to look his way if Rodgers decides to hang up his cleats for good, or surprise the league even more with another opportunity.
Either way, Pittsburgh is certainly in a tough spot. There aren't any capable starters left in free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft has been diminished of quarterback talent with several of this year's top prospects deciding to return to their respective schools.
However, given how the Steelers have operated this offseason once again, it seems as though it's only a matter of time until Rodgers announces he'll be back in Pittsburgh.
A fourth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Cousins has thrown for 44,700 yards, 298 touchdowns and 131 interceptions in his professional career.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Backup Plan For Aaron Rodgers Revealed
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