The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be a team that is talked about a lot throughout the 2025 offseason, mainly because of the team's quarterback situation. The team intends to bring back either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson as the starter for the 2025 season, but not both. It is hard to tell which way the organization is leaning, but it is expected that the organization will look to get a deal done with either player before they hit free agency in March. Both players may be targeted by other teams, so it is crucial Pittsburgh figures out the position before then.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson runs against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 of the 2024 season.
After the 2024 season ended for Pittsburgh, it seemed like Wilson's only chance to be a starter in 2025 was with the Steelers. However, his former Head Coach Pete Carroll was hired as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after taking a year off from the NFL. This clearly opens the door for Wilson to reunite with Carroll in Las Vegas, assuming that organization would be interested in the veteran. The Raiders quarterback situation has been messy for the last several seasons, so Wilson would be an upgrade. The likelihood of Wilson landing in Las Vegas increased on Tuesday as his former offensive coordinator interviewed with the Raiders.
From The Insiders in Mobile: The #Raiders and coach Pete Carroll may get the whole band back together, as Darrell Bevell interviewed today at OC. pic.twitter.com/zNdDrZyjvH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2025
Darrell Bevell was the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks from 2011 through 2017, and he had a lot of success there with Carroll and Wilson. The trio went to two Super Bowls together and won Super Bowl XLVIII -- and they were seen as a constant competitor in the NFC. Bevell was let go from Seattle after the 2017 season.
Paul Dunn / Chronicle File Photo
Russell Wilson pushes away a potential tackler during his time with the Seattle Seahawks
Bevell was Wilson's offensive coordinator for nearly half of his career, and Wilson didn't miss a single start during his time playing under Bevell. He made four Pro Bowls with Bevell calling the shots. The quarterback threw for just over 22,000 yards, 161 touchdowns, and just 56 interceptions during his six seasons while he was teamed up with the offensive coordinator. The two had a lot of success, which could draw Wilson to Las Vegas if Bevell were to get the job.
Currently, Bevell serves as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. He has also been the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars since leaving Seattle, and he didn't have much success in either of those spots. Bevell is looking to revive his career as a play caller, while Wilson is still looking to prove he has what it takes to be a starter in the NFL.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson drops back to pass as Pittsburgh takes on the Ravens on the road at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD.
Steelers Should Move On From Russell Wilson
The veteran quarterback really fizzled out towards the end of the 2024 season as the Steelers went on a five-game losing streak. The Steelers should go in a different direction, with the most likely option being Fields. If the Raiders are interested in Wilson by the time free agency rolls around and the Steelers still haven't re-signed either Fields or Wilson, the organization needs to be careful not to get in a bidding war over Wilson's services.
Wilson can be effective, but his skills are limited at this stage in his career. If he has the desire to reunite with his former head coach, Pittsburgh needs to let him do that. Re-sign Fields, and draft a rookie with a Day 2 or Day 3 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft to fill out the quarterback room.
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