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Russell Wilson 2.0: Another QB to Be Available for Vet Minimum
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- Russell Wilson 2.0: Another QB to Be Available for Vet Minimum
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins warming up.
NFL insider Adam Schefter believes quarterback Kirk Cousins will play for the vet minimum next season just like Russell Wilson did in 2024.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to land veteran quarterback Russell Wilson for the veteran minimum ($1.2 million) last offseason, thanks to the Denver Broncos paying the majority of his contract. NFL insider Adam Schefter believes that could happen again this offseason.
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Schefter sees a similar fate for the Atlanta Falcons and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr. late in the 2024 season.
"This is a situation that looks an awful lot like what Denver and Russell Wilson went through last offseason before Denver decided ultimately to move on from him, when it said it wouldn't necessarily do that," ESPN's Schefter said on "NFL Live." "They released him, he wound up signing a one-year deal with a low salary in Pittsburgh, and that's how I think people across the league believe this situation will unfold with the Falcons releasing Cousins right around the start of the new league year."
Steelers president Art Rooney II already said it would be his preference to bring back either Wilson or fellow quarterback Justin Fields in 2025.
"I think they're both capable quarterbacks and my preference would be to sign one of them," Rooney said. "So that'll be the priority, and I think that will give us the best opportunity to move forward."
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at practice on Dec. 4, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
However, there is a scenario that neither quarterback is back in Pittsburgh next season if they both receive bigger contracts elsewhere. If that's how things play out, Cousins would certainly be on the Steelers radar.
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The Steelers have already been named a favorite to land the four-time Pro Bowler. Those odds will only go up if they can't retain Wilson or Fields.
The Falcons could also decide to keep or trade Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal with them last offseason. But it's unlikely they or any other team will be willing to pay the soon-to-be 37-year-old $40 million per year.
Father Time seemed to finally catch up with Cousins in 2024. He threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions before being benched.
Signing Cousins isn't plan A or B for the Steelers, but if they can't re-sign Wilson or Fields, landing another quarterback for the veteran minimum will allow them to round out the rest of their roster with talent until they can land their next franchise quarterback.
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