Steelers Lose Cousins as Rodgers Saga Continues

Veteran QB signs with Raiders, leaving Pittsburgh with fewer QB options.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:27pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the abstract movements and angles of a football quarterback dropping back to pass, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in a monochromatic palette.The Steelers' search for a new starting QB grows more complex as free agent options dwindle.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost another potential quarterback option as free agent Kirk Cousins has signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. This comes as the Steelers continue to wait on a decision from Aaron Rodgers about his NFL future.

Why it matters

The Steelers are in need of a new starting quarterback after the retirement of longtime signal-caller Ben Roethlisberger. With Cousins now off the market, Pittsburgh has fewer options to replace Roethlisberger if Rodgers chooses not to join the team.

The details

Cousins, a 12-year NFL veteran, had been viewed as a potential free agent target for the Steelers this offseason. However, he has now agreed to a 3-year, $90 million contract with the Raiders, taking him off the table for Pittsburgh.

  • Cousins signed with the Raiders on April 7, 2026.

The players

Kirk Cousins

A 12-year NFL veteran quarterback who has now signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Aaron Rodgers

The longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback who is weighing his NFL future, with the Steelers potentially interested in signing him.

Ben Roethlisberger

The recently retired longtime starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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What they’re saying

“We're still hopeful that Aaron will choose to play for us, but we have to be prepared for all scenarios. Losing out on Cousins is a setback, but we'll keep exploring all options to find our next quarterback.”

— Kevin Colbert, Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager

What’s next

The Steelers will continue to wait on Rodgers' decision, while also exploring other potential free agent and trade options to fill their quarterback vacancy.

The takeaway

The Steelers' search for a new starting quarterback has hit another snag, as they've lost out on signing veteran Kirk Cousins. This increases the pressure on the team to land Aaron Rodgers or find another viable option to replace the retired Ben Roethlisberger.