The Pittsburgh Steelers season came to a sorrowful finish on Saturday, falling to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 28-14 at M&T Bank Stadium in the Wild Card Round. A once-promising season for Mike Tomlin’s squad ended in a five-game losing streak, and now the franchise will prepare for a pivotal offseason.

One position that is surrounded by uncertainty is quarterback. Russell Wilson served as the starter for most of the year and got off to a nice start, but the veteran was abysmal to end the season and is no longer a lock to be back as Pittsburgh’s starting signal caller. Justin Fields also started six games for the Steelers in 2024 during Wilson’s absence with a calf injury and posted a 4-2 record.

Wilson and Fields will be unrestricted free agents this offseason, and if general manager Omar Khan decides to start fresh at quarterback and move on from both, Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton proposes a trade with the Atlanta Falcons that would send veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins to Pittsburgh and edge rusher Preston Smith and a 2025 fourth-round pick to Atlanta.

With a veteran-laden roster, Pittsburgh may favor a highly experienced signal-caller. Cousins would certainly fit that criterion with 159 career starts. If the 36-year-old avoids turnovers, he can help the Steelers win games, complementing a stout defense.

Pittsburgh can package Preston Smith with their 2025 fourth-round pick to compete with offers for Cousins from other teams.

Replacing Wilson with Cousins would be an awful move by the Steelers. The 36-year-old arguably had the worst season of his career in 2024, as Cousins tossed just 18 touchdowns in 14 starts and also posted 16 interceptions, which was tied for the league lead with Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Baker Mayfield.

Cousins was benched for rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. prior to Atlanta’s Week 16 contest versus the New York Giants. Penix Jr. finished the final three games of the campaign, leaving Cousin’s future with the team in doubt.

Though the former fourth-round pick was a Pro Bowler just two years ago, Cousins is clearly past his prime and still has three years left on a $180 million contract he signed last offseason with the Falcons.

Giving up draft capital for Cousins and enduring his lucrative contract would be a foolish move from Omar Khan. If the former Michigan State standout is released by Atlanta, then signing him to a cheap deal would be a savvy move.

However, it’s time for the Steelers to stop acquiring veteran quarterbacks and begin focusing on the future. The franchise should prioritize finding young players at the sport’s most vital position, and acquiring Kirk Cousins wouldn’t be the answer.