The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially missed out on the Matthew Stafford sweepstakes. However, it seemed like he never had any interest in coming to Pittsburgh anyways, whether it was organizational issues, money, or just not wanting to play outdoors all season long. With the first domino falling, the Steelers and many other teams will now focus on the other options, including both starters for Pittsburgh in 2024. Free agency is just two weeks away from the NFL Combine, which means General Manager Omar Khan needs to get a deal done soon if he wants to keep one of his signal-callers around.
Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson points towards some of his teammates as the offense prepares to run a drill during 2024 mandatory minicamp in Pittsburgh, PA.
The team appears to be linked closer to Russell Wilson, but they're not the only ones interested, according to a report from The Athletic's Michael Silver.
With the Stafford situation now settled, the Raiders and Giants will pivot and look to other veteran options (in addition to potential draft scenarios). The Giants have interest in Aaron Rodgers. The Raiders are considering Russell Wilson and Sam Darnold. The drama continues.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 28, 2025
The second that the Las Vegas Raiders hired Pete Carroll to be their head coach, Wilson seemed to be the perfect fit. Of course, the coach/quarterback combo won a Super Bowl together, then made it to the big game the very next year. Nobody knows more about them in the football world than each other, so what better way for them to build an offense than to work together again in Vegas?
AP
Former Seahawks QB Russell Wilson celebrates a Super Bowl victory.
However, this report goes from media speculation to a supposed inside report. The Raiders also wanted Stafford, but they could not convince him to leave town for Las Vegas. Like the Steelers and a handful of other teams, they have to pivot to the next best player available, which they believe to be Wilson. In fact, Adam Schefter later confirmed that report and even added that Justin Fields could also be in the mix.
With Matthew Stafford remaining with the Rams, the Las Vegas Raiders now are expected to investigate veteran quarterback options that include Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Sam Darnold, per sources. pic.twitter.com/9RUGIZy5g9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2025
Fields has been gaining traction across the league as one of the most intriguing free agents in the NFL. He is still young and has a high ceiling. He routinely displayed his dual-threat abilities during his six starts with the Steelers, and he could at least be a good bridge quarterback if he can't develop into a high-end starter.
The Raiders will definitely be exploring every avenue possible. Do they just hope that one of the top quarterback prospects falls to them with the eighth overall pick? Do they try to develop Fields? Do they go for a veteran to bring leadership to this team? They have a lot to consider.
Steelers Could Lose Wilson To Tampering By Raiders
While the NFL is not in its legal tampering period yet, there is no question about the relationship between Carroll and Wilson. There is absolutely no reason to believe that they have not at least spoken about a potential reunion. Illegal tampering happens all the time in the NFL, as shown by how quickly these contracts get agreed to. It could happen to the Steelers too.
NFL.com
Steelers' QB Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks in the late 2010s.
The Raiders could still try to draft a quarterback in the first round, so they may lean Wilson over Fields to be that veteran presence and show their hopeful future of the franchise the ropes. With all the connections, as well as the direction that Las Vegas hopes to go, it makes a ton sense to see the Steelers' primary starter wearing black and silver in 2025.
What do you think about Wilson and Fields being linked to the Raiders, as well as the veteran's connection to Carrol? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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