When the Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed quarterback Russell Wilson ahead of the 2024 season, it initially seemed like a good fit. Wilson was eager to prove that his struggles with the Denver Broncos weren’t entirely his fault and that he still had elite quarterback play left in him. After returning from a calf injury and taking over as the starter, the offense seemed to be flying high, but that success was short-lived. The Steelers ended up losing five straight games to finish the season, which certainly soured their outlook on bringing Wilson back for the 2025 season.
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Steelers' Arthur Smith talking with QB Russell Wilson during practice.
However, recent reports have surfaced that hint at deeper issues behind the scenes between Wilson and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. While the team’s on-field struggles were clear, new revelations suggest that the relationship between Wilson and the Steelers may have become fractured. This adds another layer of complexity to Wilson signing with the New York Giants. What was once seen as a chance for redemption now appears to be on shaky ground as the Steelers evaluate their options heading into next season. Clearly Wilson wasn't much of an option after all.
On Tuesday, something eye-opening occurred that has left many fans questioning the true nature of Wilson’s relationship with the Steelers. In an article titled Asked and Answered by Bob Labriola posted on the official team website, an answer was initially published that seemed to address a fractured relationship with Wilson. Just hours later, that part of the article was mysteriously deleted. Wilson ended up signing with the Giants later on Tuesday. The sudden removal of the comment has sparked speculation among Steelers fans, who are eager to understand why it was taken down and what it might reveal about Wilson's time in Pittsburgh.
"The fact that hasn’t happened leads me to believe there is a fracture somewhere in the relationship between the Steelers and Russell Wilson too deep to overcome," Labriola wrote in the now deleted response.
The question in the article centered around why the Steelers hadn’t been able to secure a new deal with Wilson. After Wilson returned from a six-game injury absence in 2024, he took over for Justin Fields as the starting quarterback. At first, the offense seemed to be firing on all cylinders, and the Steelers were winning games with Wilson at the helm. However, that early success quickly faded as the offense began to struggle once again, and it became clear that Wilson wasn’t able to provide the spark necessary to help Pittsburgh snap their losing streak.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields get warmed up before a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
As the season came to a close, rumors began circulating about a strained relationship between Wilson and Smith. Reports suggested that Wilson had been making changes at the line of scrimmage without consulting Smith, leading to friction between the two. It soon became apparent that their working relationship had deteriorated over the course of the season, which raised serious concerns about Wilson’s future in Pittsburgh.
This background seems to be what Labriola was alluding to in his now-deleted response to a fan question about Wilson’s contract situation. The mention of a fractured relationship, which was later removed, has left Steelers fans questioning what’s really going on behind the scenes. It seems that the disconnect between Wilson and the coaching staff may have played a significant role in the team’s decision to move forward with caution regarding his future in Pittsburgh.
Steelers Are All In On Aaron Rodgers
Wilson had been very vocal about his desire to finish his career with the Steelers, expressing his commitment to Pittsburgh. Unfortunately for him, the feeling didn't appear to be mutual. While Wilson had hoped for a long-term future with the team, the Steelers seemed less inclined to bring him back. Now that door has fully closed after Wilson agreed to a new deal with the Giants for the 2025 season.
Instead, their efforts have been focused on a more ambitious target—41-year-old, four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers. The fact that the Steelers could have easily re-signed Wilson and avoided the drama surrounding Rodgers shows just how much higher they value the potential of the latter over Wilson.
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Aaron Rodgers stands with Mike Tomlin before a game while he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.
It’s clear that the Steelers are exploring a new direction and are looking to see if Rodgers can be the piece that elevates them back into the Super Bowl conversation. While Wilson’s tenure in Pittsburgh has been marked by flashes of promise, it’s evident that the team was ready to move on and see if a future with Rodgers can bring the necessary spark to their championship aspirations. With Rodgers’ proven track record, the Steelers are betting that his leadership and experience can put them back on the path to contention. Now the next step for the Steelers is awaiting Rodgers decision on if he wants to even play football in 2025.
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