Steelers Lose Backup Plan at QB

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers’ plan at quarterback is obvious and clear, even if their head coach and general manager haven’t confirmed the organization’s intentions.

Now, the Steelers have literally no other proven choices left to be their starting quarterback in 2026. The team’s most likely backup plan has been ruined by the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Raiders agreed to a free-agent deal with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. First reported by Mike McCartney, the official terms and length have not yet been disclosed. The deal takes another option off the board for the Steelers heading into 2026.

Congrats @KirkCousins8 agreeing to a contract with the @Raiders
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) April 2, 2026

Steelers Dodge a Bullet

As the Steelers wait for an answer from Aaron Rodgers, one that everyone presumes will be a resounding “yes,” they can rest for a bit knowing they dodged a bullet.

Over the last few weeks, Cousins’ name emerged as a legitimate backup option if Rodgers retired or signed elsewhere. With 174 games of NFL experience and 167 starts under his belt, Cousins was the best remaining free agent quarterback.

Vegas has now done the team a favor, however. With the addition of Cousins, the Raiders have a veteran to pair with presumptive first-overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza.

It also forces the Steelers to finalize a deal with Rodgers or hand the keys over to second-year QB Will Howard or a potential draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Either way, the Steelers don’t have to pay and deal with Kirk Cousins. Consider that a bullet dodged.

Dec 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Competition for Rodgers Heating Up?

The latest update only heats up the never-ending conversations regarding Rodgers and his return to Pittsburgh. Most recently, there was supposed competition for Rodgers’s services, as Mike Florio reported that the Denver Broncos could pursue him as a short-term starter until Bo Nix returns.

That seems to be complete hearsay, but it doesn’t seem impossible anymore. The quarterback market has shrunk to just a handful of players with NFL experience, and none of them are starters who can play above a decent level. If a team needs reinforcements, finding them might only come in the form of Aaron Rodgers.

His return to the Steelers is the most likely outcome, but with Cousins no longer around, the organization has no backup plan. That means the organization has to hit on their goal of signing Rodgers or finding that next starter in the upcoming NFL Draft. Something everyone continues to wait on, and will continue to wait on, after Cousin's comes off the board.

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