Is Kirk Cousins an option for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018?

The Pittsburgh Steelers certainly don’t need a quarterback yet, but depending on when Ben Roethlisberger retires, they could be looking for a veteran to come in and take over.

By drafting Josh Dobbs in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Steelers began preparing for life after Big Ben. But Dobbs isn’t ready to take over an NFL yet, and depending on how his development goes this offseason, he may not be ready next season either.

Roethlisberger could very well finish out his contract and play until the end of the 2019 season. However, the thought of retirement earlier in the offseason doesn’t point to much hope if Pittsburgh turns out to be the NFL’s best team this year.

A Super Bowl victory could mean the end of Big Ben in Pittsburgh. The 35-year-old has taken beatings no man should ever endure, and by now, his body can definitely be telling him it’s time to hang it up.

If Pittsburgh does pull off ring number seven, there’s a strong possibility Roethlisberger leaves on top. Although that’s how everyone wants the future Hall of Famer to go out, it leaves Pittsburgh as a Super Bowl contending team without a QB.

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This is where Kirk Cousins comes into play. By accepting the franchise tag for the second consecutive season, Cousins may be giving the Washington Redskins signs that he’s on his way out the door. If he enters the free agency market next summer, he’s likely to receive a ton of big time offers. But he may not have the opportunity to succeed on any team like he would Pittsburgh.

If Ben retires, he leaves Pittsburgh an extra $23.2 million to work with. Depending on the Le’Veon Bell situation, this money could easily be used to go out and grab a veteran quarterback for a year or two. Cousins may be getting paid as one of the NFL’s highest quarterbacks now, but he’ll learn quickly that $23 million a year is the highest expectation, money wise, that he should be looking for.

The Steelers may have this in the back of their minds. As excited as everyone is to have Dobbs as the future, keeping a Super Bowl contender thriving is more important than starting an underdeveloped quarterback. Let Dobbs grow for two or three years, which is what Pittsburgh is trying to do.

For now, depending on how next offseason turns out, Cousins could be an option for Pittsburgh. If he can avoid looking for ridiculous money, and stick to wanting to win with a football team, he’d be a great replacement for Big Ben. Only if his offseason concern is making decent money and playing for a contender, not making crazy money and playing for the Redskins.

Don’t let this scenario surprise you next year. Cousins is going to be the hottest name on the market, and Pittsburgh may want to take advantage of a vet being available.

Yes, it isn’t like the Steelers to go shopping for a big name during the offseason, but if a quarterback is the missing piece to the puzzle next year, they’d be crazy not to go out and play their hand on Cousins.

Next: How the Steelers have done everything right this offseason

Worst case, Dobbs develops quick, and Cousins isn’t needed for his entire contract.

It isn’t like the Steelers give out guaranteed money anyway.