Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger isn’t on board with trading for veteran Kirk Cousins.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is still on the table for the Pittsburgh Steelers if Aaron Rodgers decides to retire or play elsewhere. Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger thinks trading for the veteran would be a bad idea, though.
“I would’ve [liked trading for Cousins] earlier, but not now at this point,” Roethlisberger said on the latest episode of “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger.”
Cousins would come at a risk. He struggled in his first year with the Falcons, completing 303 of 453 passes (66.9%) for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions before being benched for rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
He will also be 37 by the start of the season and just suffered a torn Achilles less than two years ago.
It’s still unclear what Atlanta’s asking price is for Cousins. Initial reports hinted the team was looking for a third-round pick but that has likely come down, given the market.
However, the Steelers may be desperate enough to send a future draft selection for Cousins with just Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and sixth-round rookie Will Howard under contract.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter said in April the Falcons would consider trading Cousins if the right deal is on the table.
“Publicly, the Falcons have said they’re not interested in trading quarterback Kirk Cousins but that they’d entertain offers if the right deal was on the table,” Schefter wrote. “Atlanta has asked for any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $45 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins’ contract. To date, no has been willing to do that, and no team is expected to be willing to.”
Rodgers can end any speculation that Cousins will end up in Pittsburgh by signing, but he has yet to even reveal a timeframe when that decision will come.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Ben Roethlisberger Shares Thoughts on Potential Kirk Cousins Trade
