The top free agent storyline around the league remains Aaron Rodgers‘ next destination. That could be the Vikings, although it remains to be seen if they will match his willingness to take a Minnesota deal. 
Retirement is also an option for the 41-year-old, but if does elect to play – and the Vikings decline to submit an offer – the Steelers and Giants loom as interested suitors. Both Pittsburgh and New York have made a pitch to sign Rodgers, with the latter’s believed to be the best one on the table. Much of the remaining movement at the quarterback position will likely wait until after this situation reaches a conclusion.
In the case of Russell Wilson, his landing spot therefore remains uncertain for the time being. That is not due to hesitation on the player’s part, however. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Wilson is ready to sign at any time, a notable update given his recent Browns and Giants visits (video link).
The 10-time Pro Bowler met with Cleveland on Thursday and then New York yesterday. The Browns have already made one move under center by trading for Kenny Pickett, but they are still in the market for another passer. The Giants are also set to make multiple additions, a factor which explains the strong Rodgers pursuit as well as their continued interest in Wilson. Prior to the former Seahawk and Bronco’s decision to take a one-year Steelers pact last offseason, he met with the Giants. As Fowler notes, though, Wilson’s market is on hold until the Rodgers domino falls.
Handling starting duties since from Week 7 onwards, Wilson saw his play (and that of the team in general) decline at the end of the 2024 campaign. Justin Fields – who had support from some in the building to stay atop the depth chart even when Wilson’s calf injury healed – was widely viewed as Pittsburgh’s preference to retain over the veteran this spring. Fields ultimately took a two-year Jets deal, though, leaving Wilson in play as a fallback option should Rodgers not head to Pittsburgh.
Whereas Rodgers has a number of options to consider, Wilson’s market seems to be more limited. The 36-year-old has not been connected to the Vikings yet, while a report from earlier this week indicated the Titans are not interested despite their need for Will Levis competition. Provided one of Pittsburgh or New York end up acquiring Rodgers, the other could pivot to Wilson in short order.
Given the offset money left from his Broncos pact, Wilson was able to sign for just $1.21MM with Pittsburgh last year. He will be aiming higher this time around, but no movement should be expected with respect to his market before Rodgers’ future is determined.
All these teams competing for mid QBs. Funniest result would be Rodgers going to Minnesota and Russ to NY.
Funny, and as a Steelers fan, I hope that’s the playbook.
I agree with Bueno
Im not gonna complain if they sign either ,
But Mason Rudolph is such a G that idc if they sign another QB at this point
The Steelers should’ve re-signed Justin Fields.
Except that he couldn’t trust Tomlin.
He decided to go to the Jets to end his career, which given the money that he’d probably never make any other time, it probably was a good move on his part.
Nah he’s a sloppy qb. It’s like watching college ball.
He’ll fit right in on the Jets
I know that “it’s nothing personal…it’s just business” but I wonder how Russ feels about coming back to Pittsburgh
He had an OC rein him in after lighting up the Bengals for 44 points and the rest is history
Now they’ve put all their eggs in Rodgers’ basket and let him twist in the wind
This is all Tomlin.
And truth is, I don’t think Rodgers, or Russ, get them more wins than Rudolph will. Too many holes here
Move on and draft a QB
This is probably not the draft to do it, unless they decide to reach on Dart.
Actually, one mock is projecting Shedeur to drop to them – link to athlonsports.com
The OC didn’t “rein” him in. That was supposedly a myth fabricated by Wilson’s camp.
I feel like Wilson’s camp has been complaining about that type of thing for years and years.
Tomlin doesn’t call shots in Pittsburgh. The Rooneys fired Arians when he threw too much. They fired Haley when he threw too much. They fired LeBeau when he got too old. They fired Kevin Butler and called it retirement. Some of you still don’t get it though and allegedly have been a fan of this franchise forever. The Rooneys have a certain way they want to play football even if they don’t have the players to play that way. That’s why Harris was force fed the ball when anyone could see that wasn’t going to work with how slow he is and how bad their offensive line is, but that’s what they’re going to dictate to Tomlin to make happen and he continues to despite the roster shortcomings. They want a physical run first team that plays stout defense to win games. As silly as it sounds, throwing too much displeases them, and that’s why things happen the way they happen surrounding this team.
I know it’s not going to happen, but he should sign with Cleveland just so that biznatch can whine and ask to be traded again because he’s scared of competition.
Yinzers have made Rudolph into a folk hero, but…realistically…
Are Wilson or Rodgers actually that much better at this point?
The 3 best games of QB play the Steelers have gotten post-Ben were from Rudolph. Faint praise, yes, but…the fact remains.
I’m sure I saw his best game, but…Winston looked pretty good against PGH in the snow. Just sign him (or someone like him) and make he and Mason compete for the job.
Use the extra money saved to upgrade 3 or 4 other spots.
Rodgers is coming off two disappointing seasons (one a complete washout) and he turns 42 this year. What do these GM’s and head coaches think they’re going to get in 2025? You can’t turn the clock back to 2011. Or even 2022.
Rodgers hasn’t had a good season since his last MVP season, which was four years ago, and he’s 42 now. It’s kind of delusional to think he can turn back time at this point.
Top ten in yards and TDs last year (eight in both), while being second in attempts. Despite popular conception, the Steelers could do much worse (like Wilson). If this draft had a young QB worth taking, the notion would be silly, but there isn’t anyone. Taking the name out of it Rodgers does offer more to Pittsburgh of Minnesota than the current options. I don’t think Pittsburgh’s his best option (Minnesota fits better for a veteran who can’t even complete an off-season without a self serving headline), but we need to quit pretending en masse that Rodgers is terrible.
Realistically, on a team that doesn’t have 30+ year old starting left tackles and less than 40 drops in a season, he can outplay a Russell Wilson/Justin Fields symphony of missed reads. If there were a QB worth taking this year in the draft, signing any of these vets would be stupid. Right now, there’s not a better option.