The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback room has been the topic of conversation over the last two years in a lot of NFL circles. There has not been much consistency, and the organization brought in an interesting dynamic ahead of the 2024 season by acquiring both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. It is likely that both quarterbacks will be gone in 2025, as Fields has already signed with the New York Jets and Wilson's relationship with the organization seems to have fizzled out. Pittsburgh is awaiting a final decision from Aaron Rodgers, but Wilson is still available.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin embraces with former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a game as quarterback Russell Wilson looks on in the background.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin was excited when Pittsburgh signed Wilson ahead of free agency during the 2024 offseason, and that was made obvious by the coach's ear-to-ear smile as the veteran inked his deal. Wilson and Fields were engaged in a quarterback competition throughout training camp, but it quickly became obvious that Tomlin was not going to give the starting nod to anyone besides Wilson. Fields filled in for six games while Wilson recovered from a calf injury, but the coach was quick to insert Wilson back into the starting lineup, despite some within the building not agreeing with the move.
Wilson was effective through his first few games, but the season fell apart as his play dwindled and Pittsburgh lost its last five games. At no point during the 2025 offseason has it truly seemed like the organization was interested in bringing back the veteran, and NFL insider Jordan Schultz said on The Herd Monday that the quarterback's relationship with the coach has seen some tension over that time.
"Russell Wilson is still in play for the Giants, even though they signed Jameis [Winston]," Schultz said. "But, as it's been made clear to me, he does not have the same type of relationship he had with Mike Tomlin going back a year ago."
Wilson has taken free agency visits with the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants, and he seems to be an option for both franchises. However, his future will likely remain murky until Rodgers makes his decision on what he will be doing in 2025. Rodgers is the frontrunner to be the starter in Pittsburgh, but he is taking his time on committing to the job.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Russell Wilson against the Commanders in Week 10, 2024.
Wilson has been looked over by Pittsburgh throughout the 2025 offseason. Team President Art Rooney II originally said that the franchise would like to re-sign either Fields or Wilson, but there was only ever an effort to get a new deal with Fields. That failed, and the Steelers also reportedly had interest in Sam Darnold and Matthew Stafford.
All things considered, Wilson seemed like the fifth option for Pittsburgh at quarterback. The odds of him returning in 2025 are slim-to-none, as the organization doesn't seem to have much interest in a reunion, and the quarterback probably feels slighted by Tomlin and the Steelers.
Steelers Are No Longer A Realistic Option For Russell Wilson
At one point during the 2024 season, it seemed like a no-brainer for Pittsburgh to re-sign Wilson, and then his play declined and the season fell apart. It wasn't all his fault as George Pickens missed several games down the stretch, the offensive line began to weaken, and the defense seemingly couldn't stop the run on the other side of the ball. Regardless, the Steelers have seriously considered four other quarterbacks, and seem primed to sign Rodgers. Wilson is still in play in both Cleveland and New York as mentioned above, but his future won't be determined until Rodgers makes up his mind. The Giants are the only other team lobbying for Rodgers' services, although the Steelers are favored to land the four-time MVP.
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Steelers' top 2025 free agency quarterback options, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers, meet after a game in 2016.
If the Steelers miss out on Rodgers for some reason, it seems far more likely that the organization will move forward with Mason Rudolph as the starter, rather than bringing back Wilson. The relationship between the two sides seems to be completely ruined due to how the events of the 2025 offseason unfolded, although the two sides could use each other if Rodgers decides to play for the Giants.
What do you think about the tarnished relationship between Wilson and Tomlin? Let us know in the comments below!
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