The Steelers’ preference entering the negotiating period was to keep Justin Fields in place instead of Russell Wilson. That plan is no longer an option since the former agreed to a two-year Jets deal on Monday.
Wilson is still on the market, and he would obviously be a familiar option after spending the 2024 season as Pittsburgh’s starter (when healthy). The Steelers have become one of the suitors for Aaron Rodgers, however, and a deal could be in place soon. As talks on the Rodgers front continue, Wilson is not out of Pittsburgh’s plans yet.
Should the Rodgers negotiations break down, Wilson resides as a fallback option at this point, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. That might be a humbling position for a playoff team’s primary starter to reside, but Wilson looks to have other options. The Giants and Titans are believed to be interested, though New York is also in on Rodgers, who cannot officially be released until Wednesday afternoon. The Browns are also believed to still be eyeing a veteran, despite their Kenny Pickett acquisition.
A report Monday night indicated a Rodgers-Steelers deal could go down today, and SI.com’s Albert Breer said during a Rich Eisen Show segment the Steelers were fairly confident as of Monday that Rodgers would select them. The Giants remain in the mix, and Breer expects Rodgers to end up in Pittsburgh or to switch locker rooms at MetLife Stadium. The Giants have made their pitch and are indeed waiting on Rodgers’ decision, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes.
Although a weekend report connected the Vikings to Rodgers — in what would be an eerie parallel to the Brett Favre career path — Breer indicates he would be surprised if the future Hall of Famer ends up in Minnesota. That said, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano does not view the Vikings as out of this mix yet. This situation differs from last year’s Wilson decision and what could happen if the Falcons cut Kirk Cousins, as Rodgers could see a notable salary in 2025. The Broncos were already paying Wilson’s salary, while Cousins’ 2025 money is guaranteed as well.
The Steelers and Vikings are coming off playoff seasons and would be better positioned to complement Rodgers this year; that said, the Giants have been busy in free agency, most notably re-signing Darius Slayton and adding Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo. While Minnesota has J.J. McCarthy and New York holds the No. 3 overall pick, Pittsburgh may be committed to a full season of Rodgers if he is to sign. The Steelers not holding a pick in the top 20 would stand to give them an advantage for Rodgers, who would not need to look over his shoulder at a prospect — in all likelihood — were he to choose Pittsburgh.
As for Wilson, waiting on Rodgers’ talks with the Steelers may not sit too well. The younger of the two aging options finished two spots higher in QBR (23rd to 25th) last season and piloted the team to the playoffs. The Steelers’ late-season collapse, however, has not reflected well on Wilson, who appears behind Rodgers with the Giants as well.
Decisions should come soon, but Rodgers having this much say in how the QB market plays, at 41 and coming off an underwhelming Jets tenure, is interesting. But teams are still intrigued by the all-time QB talent. He has a clear route to play a 21st season and remain a starter.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post
Guess they really didn’t want Fields.
As a Bears fan, I can say you can’t blame them
They wanted him. They just didn’t want to pay him market value.
They weren’t willing to give their first choice $20 million a year, so they are reportedly talking about giving $45 million.
It’s not going well on the South Side.
If Rodger’s signs with the Steelers they will be a 1 win playoff team then out in the divisional round of the playoffs.
When was the last time Mike T won a playoff game, 8 years ago? Something like that. Rodgers is done anyways.
If they sign Rodgers then is there any other team looking for a starter or is Wilson going to have to sign as a back up somewhere
They keep saying one goes to the Steelers and the other goes to the Giants.
The Steelers are allowing Rodgers to dictate all of this. It’s ridiculous. Give him a deadline and move on. He’s 42, not 32
Rodgers owned the Jets for 2 years. I agree, it’s BS.
Giants.
Fine with me. If these are the choices, they ought to see what Big Ben is up to
Said it before all the FA started…Steelers are gonna walk themselves into settling for Gardner Minshew. Makes it worse after the DK trade. On top of that what’s the plan with Pickens, or like everything with this franchise, is there even one?
I just can’t believe Metcalfe willingly comes here without some solid understanding of who is gonna play QB. It makes no sense. It couldn’t just be a money thing when three or four other teams were willing to pay the same.
It’s why I suspect Wilson is in the wings here given their history. Not that I’m a fan of his, but it almost has to be
Metcalf was traded and didnt have a no trade clause. It matters 0 if he has an idea of whos playing QB or if hes willing/unwilling
Giants are better with Wilson. However, does Wilson want New York? I’m not convinced Ward and Sanders are franchise players. Take a chance on a QB in the later rounds.
Russell is still a good QB but he doesn’t love football anymore. He has spent the last few years thinking about life after and outside of football.
Rodgers is still a good QB but he’s a weirdo and in his 40’s.
They are better off bringing Brady out of retirement.