Steelers potential quarterback trade targets in 2022 offseason
By Scott Long
The NFL Draft and free agency are looked at as the most likely ways the Steelers could find their quarterback for 2022, but trading is another option.
With Ben Roethlisberger’s time in Pittsburgh coming to an end, there are plenty of options for the Steelers to find his replacement. While the draft is the most likely outcome, and many look to free agency as an outcome, there are also quarterbacks available on the trade market that the team could look into.
While players such as Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Deshaun Watson don’t make this list because it is not likely the team will target any of them, there are plenty of other quarterbacks who the team could look into.
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
After another season of missing the playoffs and hovering around .500, many believe that the Minnesota Vikings will look to move on from Kirk Cousins and look to get younger. If that is the case he could become a hot commodity on the trade market for a team that is looking to find a quarterback replacement, and compete right away.
Despite the disappointing season for the team, Cousins had an impressive statistical season in 2021. According to Pro Football Reference, he finished the season with 4,221 yards passing, 33 touchdown passes, 7 interceptions, and a 103.1 Quarterback Rating.
While the season was impressive from a statistical standpoint, the knock-on Cousins continues to be that he has not proven he can win in the Playoffs. When Cousins signed with Minnesota he was inheriting a team that just went to the NFC Championship Game with Case Keenum under center, and yet the team has not returned to those heights since he got there. Despite putting up strong stats, Cousins has had some talented rosters, and yet hasn’t delivered playoff victories for a team that believed he would be the missing piece.
Perhaps a change of scenery would benefit a quarterback who clearly has the talent to be the quarterback on a playoff contender. He could be a target for the Steelers, however, due to his age, and the fact that the Steelers have other holes on their roster, the Steelers would be better off passing, as it is unlikely Cousins alone can make them a serious contender.