Steelers, Raiders, Rams and 49ers rumors could lead to signing of former $180M free agent

As the second week of free agency winds down, quarterback Kirk Cousins remains one of the most high-profile players available.

Cousins was cut loose by the Atlanta Falcons after he did not pan out following his signing a $180 million contract in free agency a few years back.

The consensus is Cousins' best days are behind him, but he did have a decent showing down the stretch of last season to offer hope he might have some gas remaining in the tank.

Now, Cousins is looking for a new home, and he almost certainly prefers a starting job, but the best he can hope for right now is a landing spot that gives him an opportunity to compete.

According to Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom, Cousins could wait until much later in the offseason to sign, which would give him a chance to see if any definitive starting jobs will open up due to injury.

"Veteran Kirk Cousins is seen as the best quarterback still without an NFL team at this point," La Canfora said. "And it’s quite possible he waits until deep into the offseason to make any decisions about where he is playing in 2026, according to league sources."

When it comes to teams that could have interest in Cousins, La Canfora reports that the Steelers are "monitoring" the veteran signal-caller, and he also mentions the Raiders as a team that's looking for a veteran backup and possible placeholder.

"Pittsburgh is monitoring Cousins and view him as a viable alternative if Aaron Rodgers opts to retire," La Canfora reported. "Las Vegas is still looking for a more establishing quarterback to buy them time if they need it, if presumptive first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza is not ready to start Week 1."

La Canfora also spoke to some executives who did some dot-connecting to the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers as possible landing spots for Cousins.

"Several executives have noted Cousins’s past ties to head coach Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco) and Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams), and believe Cousins could be a welcome addition as a back-up there (or perhaps with Andy Ried in Kansas City), but at this point it seems unlikely Cousins would go that route without exhausting any opportunity to start," La Canfora wrote.

All signs continue to point to Jimmy Garoppolo landing back in Los Angeles, and the Niners won't have a need for a backup unless they trade Mac Jones, which doesn't seem with the reported "astronomical" price the Niners are seeking.

As a result, we'd rule out both teams for Cousins.

The Steelers are a logical landing spot, but only if Aaron Rodgers retires. If that happens, Pittsburgh would need more competition for Will Howard and Mason Rudolph and Cousins could very well win that competition.

Cousins would be a fine addition for the Raiders, who need a veteran backup in a room that only includes Aidan O'Connell right now.

The Raiders will draft Fernando Mendoza and Cousins would be an ideal veteran to have just in case the Indiana star isn't ready. Even if he is, Cousins offers a strong backup in case of injury, and he'd be a great mentor for Mendoza, too.

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