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$35 million quarterback Observing the Steelers 

With the conclusion of the NFL season on Sunday, there appears to have been a significant shift in the outlook for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 summer.

The Steelers appeared to be determined to start the 2024 season with Kenny Pickett as their quarterback, but that may not be the case going forward after the club was eliminated from the playoffs a few weeks ago.

They have lately emerged as the frontrunner to sign Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
It appears that another prominent quarterback is emerging as a more viable choice for the squad.

The Kirk Cousins camp is watching the Steelers, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk during an interview on 93.7 The Fan.

I was talking to some folks last week who appeared to be interested in the idea of the Steelers making a bid for Kirk Cousins, but I’m not sure if they would be willing to pay a player of his caliber! And those folks were in close proximity to the Kirk Cousins camp, if not really inside it. It’s an admission that the possibility exists. I believe the Cousins camp is keeping a watch on the Steelers and the [Atlanta] Falcons.

A Relentlessly Excellent QB
Cousins has shown that he is a capable quarterback ever since he entered the NFL.

During his first full season as a starter, Cousins led the league in completion % and passed for over 4000 yards passing.

The next season, he resumed as a starter and finished with 4917 yards.

Ever since joining the Vikings, he has never wavered.

Within his first five seasons, he exceeded 3500 yards in five, and 4000 yards in four. During those five years, he also averaged just under thirty throwing touchdowns every season.

He was heading into what would be his greatest season in Minnesota in 2023. He completed 69.5% of his throws for 2331 yards and 18 touchdowns in just 8 games.

At his current 17-game pace, he would have led the league in touchdowns and yards.

That means if the Steelers decide to make a move this summer, he should be their top choice at quarterback.

Steelers’ Best-Case Scenario

Although Cousins’ contract and his recuperation from an achilles injury are cause for worry, he remains perhaps the best option available to the team if they hope to contend in 2024.

Before his injury, Cousins had just been superior to Fields and Russell Wilson over the previous two seasons.

Furthermore, the Steelers wouldn’t need to forfeit anything to get him, in contrast to Fields.

They have other positions to address this offseason than quarterback. If they held onto all of their draft money, they may attempt to fill their other needs by signing young players to inexpensive contracts.

Cousins are not inexpensive. He earned $35 million in the previous campaign and has no intention of cutting back in 2024.

The Steelers shouldn’t have too much trouble with that, though, given it doesn’t appear probable that they will make a significant move at another position in the summer.

Signing Cousins would allow Pickett to grow for a year or two on the bench without the Steelers having to let go of him completely, and he is also their best choice for 2024.

The greatest option for the Steelers to pursue a major quarterbacking upgrade in the 2024 offseason is to acquire Cousins.