Steelers free agency rumor reveals contingency plan if Aaron Rodgers retires

We are into the second day of the unofficial start of free agency and the Pittsburgh Steelers still don't have an answer from Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers is a huge domino for the Steelers, as the team will likely scour the market for a veteran replacement if he retires. We just can't imagine Pittsburgh rolling into the season with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph as their only options, no matter how high the team might be on one or both of them.

And, as it turns out, that isn't likely to be the approach if Rodgers retires.

According to Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom, the Steelers view Kirk Cousins as one of their top options in free agency to replace Rodgers.

And, in what is good news for Howard's chances of starting at some point in 2026, La Canfora adds that the team is "legitimately" high on Howard.

"Former Vikings playoff quarterback Kirk Cousins is among the top options for Pittsburgh if Rodgers is not back, according to league sources, while the team is legitimately high on the upside of second-year quarterback Will Howard as well," reported La Canfora.

La Canfora goes on to note that the Steelers did not have any interest in Tua Tagovailoa, and Kyler Murray is only a "remote possibility" for them.

Not exactly an inspiring plan B for Rodgers.

Cousins has shown clear decline the past two seasons, and that decline led to him getting benched in 2024 for Michael Penix Jr.

Cousins was OK in the second half of last season while replacing an injured Penix, but not good enough to suggest he'll have some career revival in Pittsburgh or wherever he lands.

Another concern with Cousins is he doesn't move as well as Rodgers, nor does he unload the ball as quickly. That's a major concern when you consider the Steelers surrendered the sixth-most sacks in the league in 2025.

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