DONE DEAL: The Steelers have finalised a $35.7 million deal for the quarterback.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ view for the 2024 offseason appears to have shifted dramatically since the NFL season ended on Sunday.
Over the last few weeks after the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs, it appeared that the team was committed to starting the 2024 season with Kenny Pickett at quarterback, but that may not be the case now.
They just became the betting favourite to sign Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
Now it appears that another high-profile quarterback is becoming a more viable option for the squad.
During an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk stated that Kirk Cousins’ camp is keeping a watch on the Steelers.
“I’m not sure whether the Steelers would dig deep enough to pay a man like Kirk Cousins, but I was talking to several people last week who sounded fascinated by the potential of the Steelers making a move for Kirk Cousins! And those individuals were very close to, if not members of, the Kirk Cousins camp. It’s a recognition that it could happen. The [Atlanta] Falcons and the Steelers are the two teams I believe the Cousins camp is keeping an eye on.
Cousins has proven himself to be a good quarterback since he first started in the NFL.
Cousins threw for almost 4000 yards in his first full season as a starter and led the league in completion percentage.
In his second season as a starter, he went on to total 4917 yards.
Since joining the Vikings, he has been consistent.
He surpassed 3500 yards in each of his first five seasons, reaching 4000 in four. He also averaged almost 30 passing touchdowns every season over those five years.
During the 2023 season, he was on track to have his greatest season in Minnesota. In only eight games, he passed 2331 yards and 18 touchdowns, completing 69.5% of his throws.
His 17-game pace would have led the league in yardage and touchdowns.
That should make him the Steelers’ top choice at quarterback if they decide to make a move this offseason.
Cousins’ price and recovery from his Achilles injury are both problematic, but he remains the best option the Steelers have if they want to compete in 2024.
Prior to his injury, Cousins had simply outperformed Russell Wilson and Fields in recent seasons.
Furthermore, unlike Fields, the Steelers would not have to give up anything to acquire him.
This offseason, they will need to address more than just the quarterback situation. Holding on to all of their draft capital would allow them to try to fill other needs with young players on low-cost contracts.
Cousins would not come cheaply. He made $35 million last season and will not lower his expectations in 2024.
That shouldn’t be a problem for the Steelers, given it appears unlikely they’ll make a huge move at another position this offseason.
Not only is Cousins their best choice for 2024, but signing him would allow Pickett to spend a year or two developing on the bench without the Steelers having to completely replace him.
If the Steelers decide to make a huge move at quarterback during the 2024 offseason, Cousins is the best option