Steelers' Russell Wilson Faces 1 Brutal Truth As QB Pool In NFL Legal Tampering Period Dwindles Down In 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a quarterback purgatory of their own making. After acquiring Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on one-year contracts for 2024, they knew they were going to have to fight to retain one of them for 2025. Steelers brass maintained early in the offseason that was their goal; they hoped to sign one of them, and most insiders felt that Fields was their preference. Fields is younger and more mobile than Wilson, despite not blowing anyone away during his six starts in black and gold.
These situations are always a bit of a tightrope walk, with both quarterbacks entering free agency; the Steelers had to try to secure a deal with Fields before him hitting the open market. At the same time, they needed to not alienate Wilson in case he became their only option. As the legal tampering period drew near, it became apparent that Pittsburgh and Fields weren't able to come to an agreement, and then the word was announced he agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal with the New York Jets, getting $30 million of it guaranteed.
Ray Fittipaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was asked numerous questions about the Steelers' quarterback situation in his recent chat column. He said the Steelers were likely not happy with the guarantee amount. Others have said that the Steelers wouldn't guarantee him the starting job or wouldn't guarantee two years of his contract. While the Steelers are apparently trying to lure former Super Bowl winner Aaron Rodgers to the Steel City, Wilson is still out there without a job. In Fittipaldo's chat, a fan asked why Wilson would even want to sign with the Steelers, saying all they can figure out is that no one else wants him.
"Pretty much at this point," acknowledged Fittipaldo on why Wilson would want to return to Pittsburgh.
Wilson said he wants to stay in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future, telling the media that his plan was always to retire from the Steelers. He acknowledged that the season did not end the way he wanted it to and felt that meat was left on the bone for him and the rest of the team.
Those who support Wilson point out how well he did in his first seven starts. He only lost one game during a blizzard on the road against the Cleveland Browns. They point out that Wilson was far from the only reason they lost their season's final five games. In addition, those were the toughest games they played all year, all against Super Bowl-bound or nearly Super Bowl-bound teams, and most of them played on a compressed schedule.
The Steelers Need A Quarterback Who Fits Their System
Fittipaldo was asked who better fits the Steelers' offense - Wilson or Rodgers. They are both older quarterbacks who would be serving purely as a type of bridge QB until the team can find their next franchise guy. There is something to be said for Wilson's familiarity with the team.
However, Fittipaldo mentioned that familiarity might work against him. Reports circulated earlier that Wilson and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith did not get along. Fittipaldo added that Rodgers might have better chemistry with Smith, saying he is more "disciplined and stays on schedule" compared to Wilson. He noted that Wilson tends to hold the ball a long time, taking unnecessary sacks, while Rodgers quickly throws it away. While holding the ball might have worked when Wilson was able to move around more in his younger days, it didn't do the team any favors last season.
Fittipaldo thinks the Steelers will adapt their offense to fit Rodgers' strengths better. That would likely mean an elevated passing game, which makes sense with new receiver DK Metcalf joining the team.
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