The Pittsburgh Steelers have an interesting decision to make when the 2024 NFL season ends. Obviously, they brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, but they are both only tied to Pittsburgh for this season. The Steelers will have to decide how they want to move forward at the quarterback spot, and it’s not going to be cheap.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson talks to Justin Fields during a game.
In the 2024 season, the Steelers were fortunate that Fields was still on his rookie deal and Wilson’s heavy salary was being paid by the Denver Broncos. However, that luxury won't last long. If Pittsburgh wants to continue with either quarterback, it’s going to cost them a lot more than they’re currently paying.
Andrew Fillipponi, a media personality closely tied with the Steelers, has revealed the price Pittsburgh will have to pay per year if they want to keep the 36-year-old Wilson beyond this season. With the cap space expected to be tight, the decision could have significant long-term implications for the team’s financial strategy.
"A lot of what we see over the next few weeks is going to determine what the Steelers plans are for 2025," Fillipponi said. "I keep hearing that Russell Wilson wants at least $30 million dollars a year. Which honestly is not that much when you compare it to what other quarterbacks have gotten."
The next few weeks will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the Steelers' future plans at quarterback. If Wilson leads Pittsburgh on a deep postseason run, it will be hard to justify moving on from him. However, if Wilson continues to struggle and has a short playoff stint, the decision to part ways becomes more likely.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin celebrates with Russell Wilson after a big win.
At $30 million, a 36-year-old quarterback with question marks surrounding his performance could be a tough sell, especially given the struggles of other NFL teams with aging quarterbacks. The writing might be on the wall if Wilson doesn't show his worth in the postseason.
"It would be in the grand scheme of things, a decent price," Fillipponi said. "A big upgrade in terms of what he’s getting paid from the Steelers now obviously. He’s going to take a pay cut in 2025 and beyond, but I am not sold yet on bringing Russ back."
The first challenge here is that Wilson has clearly enjoyed his time in Pittsburgh. If he’s truly committed to winning a Super Bowl with the Steelers, he’d be wise to consider taking a significant pay cut.
By not demanding a hefty salary, he could help the team build a more competitive roster. Wilson has already earned a substantial amount over his career, and despite being on a veteran minimum deal in Pittsburgh, he’s still making roughly $40 million in 2024 thanks to the Broncos.
Steelers' Russell Wilson Could Take A Page From Tom Brady's Book
If there were ever a player who should follow the Tom Brady model to help build out the roster, it’s Wilson. Another major concern for the Steelers is the potential risk of passing on Fields, a 25-year-old quarterback who, while still developing, has shown moments of brilliance. With Fields’ upside, the Steelers could be looking at a future franchise quarterback, and that’s not something they should take lightly.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson boards the team plane wearing a bird hunting jacket.
The Steelers are in a difficult position, and the next few weeks will be crucial in determining their course of action. The market value for Wilson is around $40 million per year, so a $30 million salary from Pittsburgh would represent a significant pay cut. However, convincing Steelers fans of that value may be challenging, especially after the performance they’ve witnessed over the last three games. Steeler Nation is eager to see how Wilson finishes the season and what that means for his future in Pittsburgh.
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