Russell Wilson

Steelers Unlikely To Retain Russell Wilson And Justin Fields

January 28th, 2025 at 10:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

The quarterback position looms as one which faces uncertainty for the Steelers as the 2025 league year approaches. Owner Art Rooney II‘s latest comments on the subject confirmed changes should again be expected in the near future.

Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both pending free agents, and each saw playing time this past season as the team evaluated its options for 2025 and beyond. Rooney indicated his “preference” would be to re-sign one of the two while adding a commitment longer than one season would be ideal. That would seem to point Pittsburgh in Fields’ direction, but in any case keeping that tandem in place would be surprising.

“I wouldn’t close the door, but I’d say it’s probably unlikely,” Rooney said of keeping Wilson and Fields (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “I think both of them see themselves as starters and I don’t know that they want to share the same job again next year. So, I would say most likely we probably don’t wind up bringing them both back.”

Rooney also noted that an ideal 2025 QB setup would see both of the Steelers’ top options possessing the same skillset (h/t Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show). That is a common goal for many teams, of course, but in this case it is another indication Pittsburgh will look to commit to either Wilson (and a new pocket passer to supplement him) or Fields (with another mobile passer being added). Free agency does not figure to provide many attractive options, and the Steelers are unlikely to that take route to make a notable addition.

“We’ve got a whole quarterback room to fill, and so there’s jobs open in there,” Rooney added. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we look in the draft as well either this year or next, and so that’s got to be the priority.”

The Steelers are set to select 21st in April’s draft, leaving the team out of range of the top quarterback prospects (albeit in a class which is not held in high regard). Pittsburgh’s last major draft investment under center – Kenny Pickett – was added from a similar position in 2022, but he was traded away as part of the team’s mass changes at the QB spot last spring. With Kyle Allen also on track for free agency, multiple new faces could be in place by Week 1 next season.

Fields, 25, has not lived up to his draft stock but the former Bears first-rounder helped the Steelers to a 4-2 record at the start of the season. He could generate a free agent market based on his potential upside compared to other options, but in all likelihood he would once again find himself competing for a QB1 gig even in a new environment. Wilson’s play took an unwanted turn at the end of the campaign, and making a long-term commitment in the 36-year-old would carry signficant risks. With Pete Carroll back on an NFL sideline as head coach of the Raiders, a reunion in Vegas has been floated as a possibility.

Mike Tomlin will remain in place as the Steelers’ coach for 2025, and a number of roster moves will be made before the start of next season. Until the quarterback situation becomes clearer, though, that will remain the focus of Pittsburgh’s offseason.

Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson Potential QB Targets For Raiders

January 25th, 2025 at 11:34pm CST by Ben Levine

With Pete Carroll and John Spytek now installed atop the organization, the Raiders can switch their focus to finding a starting quarterback. Armed with the sixth-overall pick, there’s been some belief that the organization could position themselves to take one of the draft’s top quarterback prospects. However, the front office could also look to free agency to solve their QB woes.

At least one rival executive believes Sam Darnold could be an option for the Raiders, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. After reviving his career with the Vikings, Darnold could find himself priced out of Minnesota (especially with J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings). The Raiders are armed with close to $100MM in cap space, so the front office could be a strong suitor in any bidding war.

Darnold had a breakout season during the 2024 campaign, tossing 35 touchdowns while guiding the Vikings to a 14-3 record. The veteran struggled a bit at the end of the season, leading to some natural questions about his long-term starting candidacy. Kevin O’Connell and his offensive staff obviously deserve a ton of credit for Darnold’s turnaround, but perhaps the QB could bring some of those lessons to his next stop.

Interestingly, Russell Wilson is another name to watch for the Raiders, per Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Carroll and Wilson are obviously more than familiar with each other, although the QB’s stint in Seattle didn’t end on the best of terms. According to Howe, the two have “mended fences,” and that means a reunion in Las Vegas isn’t out of the picture. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network subsequently confirmed as much (video link).

After the Broncos booted him out of Denver, Wilson showed that he can still be a competent game manager with the Steelers. While his one-year deal with Pittsburgh was partly connected to his impending payments from Denver, Wilson may have to settle for a similar contract in 2025.

While neither Darnold nor Wilson are all that inspiring (at least from a long-term perspective), the duo will likely represent the top of the free agent QBs class. A free agent acquisition wouldn’t necessarily preclude the Raiders from selecting a quarterback in the draft, but the team’s draft strategy could determine whether they’re seeking a long-term answer like Darnold or a one-year stopgap like Wilson. The Raiders could also look to stay with their current options, as Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew remain under contract. But with a new regime running the show, there’s a good chance the team looks to retool their personnel.

Steelers Unlikely To Add External QB In Free Agency?

January 23rd, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Steelers’ high-floor/low-ceiling routine extended through another season, the team again has a decision to make at quarterback. After pulling the plug on the Kenny Pickett experiment late in the 2023 season, Pittsburgh identified a cost-effective but unremarkable solution in the Russell Wilson–Justin Fields tandem. Mixed results emerged.

Although Wilson provided a boost to help the team reach 10-3, Pittsburgh crumbled as its schedule stiffened down the stretch. After five straight losses closed out the Steelers’ season, Mike Tomlin was noncommittal about the futures of his top two passers. Wilson has expressed interest in staying on multiple occasions, while Fields is nearly 11 years younger and would provide more intrigue through a longer-term lens. It may be an either/or situation, but one of them coming back seems more likely than the team pursuing an outside free agent.

As it stands in January, veteran Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly writes that is is “highly unlikely” the Steelers sign an outside QB free agent to start. The team has two experienced starters under contract through March, holding exclusive negotiating rights with Wilson and Fields until the legal tampering period starts March 10. It looks more probable than not the team will determine which of the QBs it wants to keep working with, rather than start over with one of this year’s outside FA options. A report earlier this month pointed to Fields being perhaps the team’s more appealing target of the two incumbents.

Sam Darnold would represent this year’s prize, and his difficult finish may give the Vikings pause about potentially unholstering the franchise tag. More affordable options would include Kirk Cousins (once the Falcons release him) or Daniel Jones. Cousins would likely follow Wilson’s path by signing a vet-minimum deal, as the Falcons will be on the hook for his salary once he is cut. Jones also could be a Vikings bridge option if Darnold proves too pricey to tag or re-sign, but other teams will show interest. Beyond the underwhelming non-Fields contingent of 2021 first-rounders — Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Mac Jones — a host of veteran backup types would round out the QB market. Aaron Rodgers could also loom, though the 41-year-old star has not determined if he will play a 21st season. Rodgers would represent an interesting variable here, even if, as PFR readers’ recent stance reminds, a fit with the Steelers would be a bit difficult to foresee.

The Steelers will have a major say in how the QB market plays out this year, with Fields and Wilson being perhaps the top two non-Darnold names available. Fields did not threaten Wilson’s job security after being benched midseason, but he might hold greater appeal due to his age (26 in April). Wilson is 36, and his post-Seattle performance has left much to be desired. That said, the Steelers’ failure to add a dependable No. 2 wide receiver undoubtedly affected Wilson, especially against better competition. With George Pickens‘ future with the organization potentially in doubt, the team will have WR questions to answer once again.

Holding a first-round pick around usual territory (21st this year), the Steelers have limited options in the draft. While one NFL scouting director predicts (via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler) the team will draft a quarterback high, choosing one this year would remind — to a degree, at least — of the Pickett selection due to the criticism directed at this QB crop. Beyond Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, the likes of Jalen Milroe (Alabama) and Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) would be available. Supply-and-demand issues may push the SEC arms up the board, but neither currently profiles as a surefire Day 1 draftee.

Illustrating the much-rumored gulf between this year’s top two college prospects and the field, Mel Kiper Jr.’s first ESPN.com mock predicts Ward and Sanders will be gone within the top three and no other signal-callers will go in Round 1. Free agency, then, will be an important component of Pittsburgh’s latest QB plan. The Steelers will have until March 10 to keep either Fields or Wilson off the market. Otherwise, they will be competing with other suitors to retain one of the QBs.

Mike Tomlin Confirms Intent To Coach Steelers In 2025; QB Situation In Flux

January 14th, 2025 at 10:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

A report over the weekend pointed to the expected Steelers coaching scenario — Mike Tomlin returning for a 19th season — taking shape. Nothing has emerged to contradict it, and the veteran HC addressed the matter himself Tuesday.

Regarding any potential trade inquiries HC-needy teams may have, Tomlin told prospective suitors to “save your time” regarding such an effort. Moving closer to Chuck Noll‘s tenure duration in Pittsburgh, Tomlin said he is prepared to continue as Steelers HC in 2025.

Noll lasted 23 years at the helm, while Tomlin has moved past Bill Cowher (15 seasons). Even as Tomlin’s high-floor/low-ceiling routine has irked many Steelers supporters in recent years, he has made the team one of the safest bets in modern sports at avoiding poor seasons. Though, early playoff exits have mounted since the team’s run to the 2016 AFC championship game. And that Patriots matchup is the Steelers’ only conference championship appearance since Super Bowl XLV.

“I don’t make excuses for failure,” Tomlin said, via ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor. “I own it, but I also feel like I’m capable and so as long as I’m afforded an opportunity to do that, I will continue, but I certainly understand their frustrations and probably more importantly than that, I share it because that’s how I’m wired.”

Rumors about teams considering Tomlin trade offers surfaced in December 2023, and some uncertainty about his 2024 status circulated as well. Tomlin squashed those soon after and received another contract extension — his seventh as Steelers HC — this past summer. Although the Steelers have continued to hit a wall in the wild-card round, after having lost as a No. 2 seed in the 2017 divisional round, Tomlin has shown no indication he is fed up with the situation. That said, he met with ownership and GM Omar Khan on Monday and did indicate Tuesday there will be organizational changes.

While the 52-year-old leader declined to specify where changes were coming, quarterback will be a closely monitored situation in Pittsburgh. Russell Wilson has repeatedly indicated he wants to stay in Pittsburgh, and while the organization has been tied to having the same sentiment, a Monday report suggested the team has cooled on its primary 2024 starter. Not tipping his hand, Tomlin offered neither an endorsement of his QBs nor a firm indication another new group will arrive.

“We don’t have a quarterback under contract. We are certainly open to considering those guys, but we have a lot of work ahead of us,” Tomlin said of Wilson and Justin Fields.

Adding to the uncertainty here, Tomlin did say both QBs can help the Steelers in 2025 and praised both players’ professionalism. The Steelers, however, did not threaten the Ravens in their Saturday wild-card loss. The team has now lost five consecutive playoff games, with its most recent win coming in a 2016 divisional-round matchup in Kansas City.

Tomlin’s streak of .500-or-better seasons reaching 18, however, continues to impede the Steelers when it comes to finding quarterback help in the draft. By virtue of their 10-7 record, the Steelers hold the No. 21 overall pick in this year’s draft — one not viewed as teeming with QB talent. Their last attempt to fill a need through the draft came in a worse draft for QBs, with the Kenny Pickett miss highlighting this shaky period for the organization at the game’s premier position.

Some veteran avenues may be open, but major questions would come with any of the high-profile options. depending on other teams’ actions.

Sam Darnold‘s shaky showings in high-stakes Vikings spots to close the season could certainly impact the team’s desire to use the franchise tag to keep him off the market. That would stand to intrigue a team like the Steelers, though Darnold’s free agency price tag should still be fairly high. Similarly, Kirk Cousins‘ stock dropped late in his season. The Falcons are likely to release the 36-year-old passer, who was part of Wilson’s 2012 draft class, as no trade appears realistic. Aaron Rodgers is still expected to be a Jets cap casualty. Rodgers has not committed to playing in 2025, and PFR readers were not high on a Steelers fit — as interesting as the increasingly outspoken QB pairing with Tomlin would be.

Names like Daniel Jones or even Jimmy Garoppolo could come up as lower-cost choices, but the Steelers would seemingly be more likely to keep Wilson or Fields than take one of those routes. Pittsburgh has been unable to find a high-end quarterback for a while now, with Ben Roethlisberger‘s 2019 elbow injury effectively ending his prime. The team has continued to rely on its defense since, and while that unit should still be formidable in 2025, Tomlin and Co. have several weeks to determine if there is a viable upgrade on the Wilson/Fields setup out there.

Steelers Interested In Re-Signing Justin Fields; Russell Wilson Status Less Certain?

January 13th, 2025 at 9:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Steelers’ party line of wanting to extend the Russell Wilson partnership beyond this season began shortly after the QB’s signing. It continued deep into the season, as the team zoomed to 10-3. But Wilson struggled down the stretch, as Pittsburgh’s schedule stiffened, and lost his final five games as the team’s starter.

Wilson wants to stay with the Steelers, but his value took a hit down the stretch. Signs of frustration with Wilson emerged within the Steelers, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. This would stand to affect the team’s desire to bring the 13-year veteran back at a higher rate. Wilson’s grip on the Steelers’ starting job never appeared to loosen once he recovered from his calf injury, but the Mike Tomlin-led decision to bench Justin Fields was not unanimous.

A historically sack-prone quarterback, Wilson stayed on this course. The Chiefs, Bengals and Ravens combined to sack him 13 times over the past three weeks. The Steelers never found a reliable No. 2 wide receiver, though Mike Williams did resemble one sporadically, and they dealt with two significant offensive line injuries — to Troy Fautanu and James Daniels. While veteran Steelers insider Mark Kaboly notes Fautanu will be ready for OTAs — after the first-round tackle suffered a dislocated kneecap, Wilson may not be a lock to join him.

Wilson’s momentum screeched to a halt late in the season, and he is now 36. The quarterback did see drop issues plague the offense against Cincinnati, and he fired a laser to George Pickens — the primary culprit vs. the Bengals — for a touchdown against the Ravens. But the nine-time Pro Bowler trended downward during the season’s defining stretch. Pegging Wilson’s value, even on a weak QB market, will be tougher as a result.

A December estimation on this market moved to the Baker Mayfield place — three years, $100MM — but after the Steelers’ nosedive, it would be surprising if Wilson received that kind of offer from the Steelers. The Steelers do not negotiate in-season, so no talks have taken place. It would stand to reason the sides will huddle up, but the franchise has now gone eight seasons without a playoff win. Wilson was only involved in one of those years, but it also makes sense for the Steelers to explore a better option. Though, the team continuing to win and camp as an upper-middle-class operation makes finding one difficult.

Fields joins Wilson as a free agent and only saw action on a handful of plays, as a gadget option, after Wilson recovered from his nagging injury. That said, the Steelers entered the season open to exploring a long-term deal with their younger QB, and Breer adds the team “would love” to keep working with the 25-year-old passer. Though, the veteran reporter cautions the team might be interested in keeping Fields as a backup. That would stand to be a sticking point for the 2021 first-round pick, who could conceivably draw QB1 interest elsewhere — as a stopgap, if nothing else — during an offseason featuring a thin free agent market and a maligned rookie prospect pool.

Wilson is set to join Kirk Cousins — who will almost definitely be released, despite Falcons hopes at trading him — as aging starters on the market. No QB played this season for between $12.5MM per year and $25MM per annum, and only two players (Gardner Minshew and Geno Smith) populated that salary range. Mayfield’s $33MM-AAV pact is next on that list. Both Steelers QBs may be threats to expand that unpopulated QB middle class between Minshew and Smith.

Fields completed 65.8% of his passes to Wilson’s 63.7, though the latter threw 336 passes to Fields’ 161. Fields’ 7.4 yards per attempt also bettered Wilson’s number (6.9). Wilson did finish the regular season with a 16-5 TD-INT ratio, while Fields’ issues through the air again revealed themselves ahead of his October benching. The three-year Bears starter should still generate conversations about a starting gig somewhere; that will increase his value potentially beyond the Steelers’ comfort zone — if the AFC North club is set on him as a backup-only option, at least.

Plenty needs to be sorted out for the Steelers, who have smashed their heads against a low ceiling for a while now. The team is expected to retain Tomlin for a 19th season; he and Omar Khan will have a significant decision to make soon.

Steelers QB Russell Wilson Reiterates Desire To Re-Sign With Team

January 13th, 2025 at 1:47pm CST by Rory Parks

JANUARY 13: Wilson repeated his desire to land a new Steelers contract on Monday, although he noted (via Pryor) no talks have taken place with the team yet. Needless to say, how interested Pittsburgh is in entertaining another year (or more) of Wilson in the fold will make for one of the team’s most significant offseason storylines.

JANUARY 12: Back in March, mere days after the Steelers signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year contract covering the 2024 campaign, there were already reports indicating that player and team were planning to discuss a multiyear accord in the 2025 offseason. After Wilson took over the QB1 role from Justin Fields in Week 7, the on-field results engendered more such reports, with multiple outlets reiterating that Pittsburgh intended to re-sign Wilson and keep him as the starter.

Wilson, 36, was likewise interested in extending the relationship, and Baker Mayfield’s three-year, $100MM contract with the Buccaneers was seen as a logical comparable for Wilson’s camp to shoot for in negotiations. However, the Steelers’ season ended in a tailspin, as the club lost the final four games of the regular season to cede control of the AFC North to the Ravens, and then they lost their wildcard-round matchup with Baltimore last night to bring their year to a close.

After posting quarterback ratings of at least 101.1 in five of his first seven games under center for the Steelers – a stretch in which the team went 6-1 – Wilson failed to record a rating above 94.5 during the next four games. And while his surface-level statistics in the playoff loss look strong – he connected on 20 of 29 pass attempts for 270 yards and two TDs – Pittsburgh mustered less than 60 yards of offense in the first half and were trailing 21-0 at halftime.

To be fair, the Steelers’ schedule over what became a five-game losing streak to end the season – Philadelphia, Baltimore, Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Baltimore – was a challenging one. It is nonetheless reasonable to wonder if the team’s thoughts about Wilson’s future in Pittsburgh have changed over the last month.

For his part, Wilson remains steadfast in his desire to hammer out a new contract with the Steelers. In his postgame presser following the wildcard-round defeat, the veteran signal-caller confirmed that he intends to continue his playing career – “I’ve got so much more ball left in me,” he said – and made it plain that he hopes to stay put (X links via ESPN’s Brooke Pryror).

“It’s been one of the best years for me personally to be a Pittsburgh Steeler,” he said. “And obviously I hope I’m here and everything else.”

Wilson added, “it’s a special, special place. And I know God brought me here for a reason” (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).

As Florio observes, head coach Mike Tomlin declined to address the future of his team’s quarterback position after the game, merely indicating that Wilson’s performance “wasn’t good enough” while lauding the QB’s efforts in rallying the offense after the dismal first half.

Fields, who led the team to a 4-2 mark before being demoted in favor of Wilson, is also an impending free agent, but he is nearly 11 years younger than his senior colleague, and he has earned plenty of fans in the building. Indeed, Tomlin previously indicated that the decision to insert Wilson into the starting lineup over Fields was entirely his own, and that he went against the grain in making the call.

For a time, it appeared to be the right move. Now, though, the organization will have a number of difficult decisions to make regarding the most important position in sports.

Latest On Potential Russell Wilson Steelers Extension

December 25th, 2024 at 10:29pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers’ push for the AFC North title will continue with today’s matchup against the Chiefs. A large part of Pittsburgh’s success this season has been improved play under center, and as a result Russell Wilson could turn out to be much more than a one-year rental.

Since the former Super Bowl winner took over from Justin Fields as the Steelers’ starter, Wilson has provided stability at the quarterback spot, something which had been lacking since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Given the nature of his Broncos release, Wilson has been a cost-effective starter this year, and signs have pointed since November to a new pact being worked out. For now, the 36-year-old is on track for free agency, and he would be one of the more intriguing names on the market if no deal was to take place.

A mutual interest exists in continuing this relationship, however, with Wilson recently issuing a public desire to remain in Pittsburgh beyond 2024. It would thus come as no surprise if a multi-year pact were to be worked out this offseason (even with Fields potentially still in the picture). In that event, Wilson would be in line for a notable raise compared to the veteran minimum he is playing for – in terms of Pittsburgh’s financial obligation – this year. With age as a complicating factor, however, the length of any potential contract could be a sticking point in addition to compensation.

On that note, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports there is a “very good chance” the Steelers work out a new pact with Wilson similar to other recent veteran QB deals (video link). Specifically, he names Baker Mayfield‘s Buccaneers pact as a comparable situation. Mayfield impressed in 2023, his debut Tampa Bay season. That landed him a three-year, $100MM contract – a major raise relative to his prior deal, but an AAV nowhere near the top of the position’s market.

Wilson securing a similar deal this winter would provide him with the opportunity to continue his Steelers tenure, while the structure of such a pact could give the team flexibility from a cap perspective. Keeping the nine-time Pro Bowler in the fold could prove to be beneficial on a medium-term commitment in particular, but Pittsburgh also has to sort out Fields’ future since he is a pending free agent. The same is true of left tackle Dan Moore Jr., cornerback Donte Jackson as well as both members of the Najee Harris–Jaylen Warren running back tandem.

Wideout George Pickens will also be eligible for an extension once this season ends, and keeping him in place long term will require a notable commitment. Plenty of key decisions will need to be made with respect to keeping the Steelers’ core in place on offense in particular, and Wilson’s situation will be central to that effort. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the campaign plays out, and whether or not his chances of working out a new Steelers accord will be affected down the stretch.

Russell Wilson Wants To Re-Sign With Steelers

December 19th, 2024 at 9:04pm CST by Ben Levine

After inking a one-year deal with the Steelers this offseason, Russell Wilson has seen a career resurgence. If the veteran QB has his way, the partnership will extend beyond the 2024 campaign. During a recent episode of Hard Knocks, Wilson revealed that he’d like to re-sign with the Steelers this offseason.

“Hopefully. I love it here,” Wilson responded to a fan’s question about re-signing (via Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports). “It’s cool. Hope we can win a Super Bowl.”

Wilson’s first season in Pittsburgh couldn’t have gone much better than it has. Mike Tomlin surprised many when he opted for Wilson atop the depth chart following Justin Fields‘ strong start to the season. Wilson has rewarded his coach’s faith, with the veteran guiding the Steelers to a 6-2 record in his eight starts.

Following a pair of underwhelming seasons in Denver, Wilson has looked more like his old self in Pittsburgh. His interception rate (1.3) and yards-per-game mark (239) represent his best numbers since his Seattle tenure. In total, the 36-year-old has completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 1,912 yards, 13 touchdowns, and three interceptions.

That strong performance has set Wilson up for a sizable pay day this offseason. Considering the lucrative contracts he’s signed throughout his career, Wilson may be willing to settle for a slight discount to stick around Pittsburgh. On the flip side, the Steelers may be willing to slightly pay up on a second contract. Wilson saved the Steelers some cash by inking a $1.2MM minimum contract; he was going to make $39MM regardless thanks to his Broncos release, and the QB had his former squad pick up most of that tab.

Wilson’s performance in the postseason should also inform the team’s approach heading into the offseason, but a successful playoff run would also boost the QB’s market value. Still, as things stand right now, it sounds like Wilson (and presumably the organization) would be interested in extending this relationship beyond one season.

Steelers Rumors: Wilson, Pickens, RBs

December 8th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Ely Allen

We’ve touched a bit recently on the Steelers’ intention to re-sign veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and even touched a bit on the possibilities for his free agent stock, but recent reports have gone even further in reassuring that the intent is for Wilson to continue starting into the 2025 NFL season, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

This is a small specification, as clearly, if they wanted him to stick around, he was probably going to continue to be the starter. But with the younger Justin Fields also having a decent showing during his tenure as the starter earlier this year, there was certainly a chance that Wilson was acting as a placeholder for a developing Fields. After Fields opened the season with a 4-2 start, many were curious why the Steelers wouldn’t stick with the hot hand.

Wilson, though, has gone 5-1 since taking over as the starter, giving Pittsburgh a couple of options for the future. When Fields was starting, he was acting mostly as a game manager for a middling offense, but when Wilson came in, the offense exploded into production. Wilson’s chemistry with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has been the difference and given Wilson a clear road to a permanent starting job in Pittsburgh.

Here are a few other rumors coming out of the Steel City:

In a recent Q&A on X, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic gave an answer on the future of leading wide receiver George Pickens. While Pickens’ immaturity can get in his own way at times, Kaboly believes the youth and talent of the 23-year-old are enough to warrant an extension in the near future, predicting a good chance that it happens.
In a different Q&A, Kaboly also made a prediction on the team’s future at running back. With both Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris in contract years, Kaboly calls it a “no brainer” that Pittsburgh tenders an offer to Warren. He goes on to say that he doesn’t see Harris back with the team next year, unless the free agent market doesn’t provide much competition for him, and he returns for a year on a “prove it” deal. It’s an interesting stance given the difference in production between the two this year, but many analysts have favored Warren in recent years, and the Steelers may be on the same page.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Russell Wilson

December 3rd, 2024 at 10:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers opted for a complete overhaul of the quarterback position this offseason, signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields. Both passers are pending free agents, and it remains to be seen if each member of the pair will be retained for 2025.

In Wilson’s case, though, his time in the lineup has certainly strengthened his case for a new Pittsburgh deal. The former Seahawks Super Bowl winner endured an underwhelming two-year tenure with the Broncos, leading to his release this offseason (during which Denver took on a dead money charge of $85MM). The Steelers added him on a veteran minimum pact, positioning him to operate as a low-cost Kenny Pickett replacement.

Fields started the Steelers’ first six games while Wilson recovered from a calf injury. Once the latter was healthy, head coach Mike Tomlin made the unilateral decision to insert him into the starting lineup. Pittsburgh went 4-2 with Fields at the helm, but Wilson was seen as having a higher ceiling in the passing game in particular. That has proven to be true to date, as highlighted most recently by his 414-yard outing against the Bengals in Week 13.

Overall, Wilson has led the Steelers to a 5-1 record as a starter, posting a 10:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio along the way. His 104.3 passer rating is his highest since 2020, and maintaining his current level of play would help his value on a new Pittsburgh deal this offseason or one sending him to a new team. Retaining Wilson is a priority for Pittsburgh, but an agreement on that front will only be reached after the campaign.

In the event the 36-year-old does get the opportunity to test the market, he could face a wide range of offers. Executives who communicated with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones were split when polled about what a Wilson offer would look like this offseason. Projections in terms of annual average value ranged from roughly $10MM on the low end to $35MM on the high end. How he and the Steelers perform over the coming weeks will obviously be key in determining Wilson’s earning potential.

The top of the QB market has seen considerable growth in recent years, and Dak Prescott‘s latest Cowboys deal made him the first $60MM-per-year player in NFL history. Eight other passers are attached to a deal averaging at least $51MM per season, while six sit between $40MM and $46.1MM. Given his age, Wilson should be expected to check in at a tier below those markers, but the likes of Geno Smith (Seahawks) and Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) have parlayed strong seasons into healthy veteran pacts in the middle class of established starters.

Mayfield played on a one-year, $4MM pact with Tampa Bay in 2023 before landing a three-year, $100MM contract this offseason. Wilson is not in an identical situation given his age and his Broncos compensation, but he too could turn an impressive showing on a new team into a medium-term commitment and a raise. With Wilson and Fields combining to account for only $4.44MM on Pittsburgh’s cap sheet this year, a notable spike in that figure should be in store if continuity is sought under center.

Sam Darnold took a one-year Vikings pact as a potential springboard to a lucrative deal elsewhere, and his success in Minnesota has him on track to be the top quarterback in the 2025 free agent market. Wilson could join him as an older option for teams not in position to add a first-round passer in the draft or those seeking a bridge starter to partner with a developmental QB. Fields could also represent an intriguing free agent candidate in the event he were to depart.

The Steelers have not managed to find a long-term Ben Roethlisberger replacement since his retirement, and Wilson will likely not serve in that capacity far beyond 2025 even if he is retained given where he is in his career. Still, he could be an intriguing free agent in the event the Steelers were to allow him to test the market.

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