The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves with neither of their primary quarterbacks from the 2024 season under contract for 2025, and now the majority of the fan base is wondering what will come next at the position. Bringing back Russell Wilson or Justin Fields on a new deal is certainly on the table, but it is unlikely both will return to the Steelers. Pittsburgh can also go a completely different direction, but right now it looks as though one of those two players will be the starting quarterback in the Steel City for the 2025 campaign.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen voluntary offseason workouts in 2024.
Both quarterbacks played well for the Steelers at one point during the 2024 season, but the majority of the fan base wants to see Fields back in Pittsburgh after the way Wilson ended the year. Wilson is an older quarterback and looked like a statue at times in the pocket. Meanwhile, Fields is one of the best runners at the position. Despite the fan base's desires, Wilson has already gone public in saying that his team has started talking to the organization about a new deal.
This could be a media stunt from the veteran, but it could also be true. It seemed like the Steelers were the only possible place for Wilson to be a starter in 2025, but that changed on Friday when the Las Vegas Raiders hired Wilson's former head coach, Pete Carroll. Wilson and Carroll are still close, and now playing for the Raiders seems like a possibility for the veteran, which was explained by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
"I reached out to a few former Carroll-lieutenants in Seattle." Fowler said. "Both expect Carroll to be a great fit in Las Vegas, but they also both pointed out that they would not be surprised if Carroll reached out to Russell Wilson, possibly trying to sign the free agent, make amends for what went wrong at the end of that Seattle era. One of them even pointed out that Carroll and Wilson began to rekindle their relationship about a year ago or so. Wilson's always been intrigued by wearing the black and silver."
Wilson's time with the Seattle Seahawks didn't end on the best terms, and he was eventually traded to the Denver Broncos. Carroll was fired from Seattle after the 2023 season, and he is now already back coaching in Las Vegas. The Raiders desperately need a quarterback, so the reunion makes sense for both sides.
NFL.com
Steelers' QB Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks in the late 2010s.
Wilson and Carroll had a ton of success together in Seattle. The two won a Super Bowl and went to a second one, and they were threats in the NFC nearly every season. The Raiders are an organization that is desperate for success, and Wilson would be a considerable upgrade over the quarterback play the organization has had in the last few seasons. Although, Aidan O'Connell has played better than most people think.
The Steelers need to sit back and allow this reunion to happen. Either sign Fields, or go in a different direction. However, Wilson was never going to get Pittsburgh where the organization wants to go, and he provides no clarity of the future at the position.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin and Russell Wilson on the sideline during a game against the New York Jets in 2024.
Steelers Need To Be Careful If Wilson Tests Free Agency
The Steelers got lucky in 2024 as they were able to sign Wilson for essentially the league minimum. That won't be the case in 2025 if he strikes a new deal in Pittsburgh. Up until this point it seemed like the Steelers would be the only team remotely interested in the quarterback as a starter, but now the Raiders are certainly in play.
If Wilson makes it to free agency, the Steelers must avoid a bidding war with Las Vegas. The last thing the organization needs to be doing is over-paying for a quarterback like Wilson, who is extremely limited at his current age.
What do you think about the possibility of Wilson playing in Las Vegas? Let us know in the comments below!
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