Steelers Top Three Remaining QB Options

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers officially won’t be bringing in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins for the 2026 season. Despite some speculation that the 37-year-old QB was a backup option for the organization, Cousins skirts a trip to Pittsburgh for an entirely too complicated one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The deal leaves the Steelers without one more option as a starting quarterback. The team is fully expecting Aaron Rodgers to return and reunite with head coach Mike McCarthy, but the organization has to have a real backup plan in place.

The problem is that options are limited and not very compelling. Even if they draft a signal-caller in the 2026 NFL Draft and Mason Rudolph still on the roster, the Steelers are set to bring in a veteran. These players stand out as the likeliest, and only, remaining options with starting experience.

Joshua Dobbs

It was franchise legend Ben Roethlisberger who recently pointed out that Joshua Dobbs would be a veteran option to pair with their current room. The 31-year-old former Steelers draft pick was recently released by the New England Patriots and he might be the next best option on the market. Dobbs has a career record of 3-12 as a starter, with 17 touchdowns to 15 interceptions.

One of the smartest people in the NFL, Dobbs is a locker room legend. Roethlisberger loved working with him during their time together in Pittsburgh, so it’s easy to see why he’s endorsing Dobbs in 2026. He is another tier down from the

Cooper Rush

The only player in free agency who has experience playing for McCarthy is 32-year-old Cooper Rush. McCarthy coached Rush during their time together with the Dallas Cowboys, so he’s very familiar with what the journeyman QB can do.

Adding to the possibility is the brief success they had when Cowboys starter Dak Prescott was injured in 2022 and 2024. Rush came on in relief both times, going an impressive 8-5 in those 13 starts with 17 touchdown passes to eight interceptions.

Tyrod Taylor

With 62 starts, Tyrod Taylor is the most experienced quarterback still on the market. He may have gone 29-31-1 in those starts, but he's also been decent at taking care of the ball and limiting turnovers. In his career, he's thrown 74 touchdowns and 34 interceptions. He's also been a threat with his legs, recording 2424 career rushing yards.

It’s not the sexy answer for the Steelers, but Taylor gives them the best possible scenario, should Rodgers not re-sign. The team needs a veteran they can turn to as the young players battle for snaps, and Taylor is the best of what is undoubtedly a very underwhelming bunch.

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