Steelers Absolutely Would Be Super Bowl Contenders If They Signed Kirk Cousins According To Marcus Spears

The Pittsburgh Steelers, a franchise with a storied history of success, found themselves exiting the 2023 NFL season in a less-than-ideal fashion. Their playoff run ended abruptly with a Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills. 

Despite this disappointing outcome, Head Coach Mike Tomlin remains resolute in his belief that the future quarterback of the team is already on their roster. These sentiments were shared during his final press conference of the season. However, in the world of NFL rumors, especially concerning quarterbacks, the chatter never truly subsides. 

One name that continues to circulate in connection with the Steelers is Kirk Cousins, the 35-year-old quarterback currently recovering from an Achilles injury. Marcus Spears, a prominent figure was asked on ESPN's show, Get Up , didn't mince words when asked about the potential pairing of Cousins with the Steelers. Mike Greenberg asked Spears if the Steelers would become instant Super Bowl contenders with Cousins. His response was unequivocal.

"You d**n right they are. You are absolutely right, they are [a Super Bowl contender with Cousins]. An explosive offense with Mike Tomlin is a Super Bowl contender. I guarantee it."

Certainly, the prospect of Cousins in a Steelers uniform brings excitement and high expectations. Before his injury in the 2023 season, Cousins started in eight games, achieving a completion rate of 69.5%, amassing 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns with only five interceptions. His performance on the field has been consistently impressive for some years now, earning him the respect and status of being called an elite quarterback in this league. 

Steelers Are An Elite Quarterback Away From A Super Bowl

Spears went on to commend Tomlin for his ability to guide the team even without what he considers an elite quarterback. 

"[Tomlin] had to fire his offensive coordinator in the middle of the season, and they managed to get this team where they needed to be. He played with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph as his quarterbacks. That's all he's missing."

The uncertainty surrounding Mason Rudolph's future, as he enters free agency, leaves questions unanswered. Meanwhile, Mitch Trubisky's struggles make it unlikely for him to even be on the team for the 2024 season. It's not likely the Steelers would enter into the 2024 season with just Kenny Pickett. This adds fuel to the fire for these quarterback rumors.

Despite Tomlin's public commitment to the current quarterback being on the roster, the possibility of pursuing a quarterback through the draft or signing a veteran like Cousins in free agency remains a viable option. 

This upcoming draft class showcases an abundance of impressive quarterback talent, making it one of the most remarkable classes in recent memory. The Steelers should be careful passing up the chance to grab a potential stud or at least someone who can challenge Pickett. Cousins boasts an impressive career record as a passer. Over his career, he has attempted 5,177 passes and completed 3,465 of them, resulting in a remarkable completion percentage of 66.9%. 

Equally notable is his TD–INT ratio, with 270 touchdowns to just 110 interceptions. With a total of 39,471 passing yards and a solid passer rating of 98.2, Cousins has consistently proven himself as a reliable and effective quarterback. While age may be creeping up on Cousins, his performance suggests he still has a few seasons of solid quarterback play left in him. Should the Steelers secure his services, Spears firmly believes they would instantly become a formidable Super Bowl contender.

The thought of getting Cousins should be an exciting idea but who knows how it would actually play out if it happened. Cousins is going to be coming off an achilles injury and getting up there in terms of age. It would be a pretty big gamble to go for Cousins who isn't going to be cheap. It's also likely that he would prefer to stay with the Minnesota Vikings if they want him back. 

As the NFL offseason unfolds, the fate of Cousins and the Steelers remains uncertain. Will the franchise make a bold move and bring in the seasoned quarterback to chase their Super Bowl dreams? Only time will tell, but the possibility alone has Steeler Nation buzzing with anticipation.