Russell Wilson’s deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers has just been renewed
Russell Wilson’s deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers is set to expire, leaving the Super Bowl-winning quarterback on the lookout for a fourth team in five seasons
The Las Vegas Raiders are emerging as a key landing spot for Russell Wilson in a move that could see him link up with his former head coach and offensive coordinator.
Wilson was part of an intriguing subplot in 2024 as he jostled with Justin Fields for the Pittsburgh Steelers starting role. After a training camp competition, the Steelers named Wilson the starter ahead of the regular season only for the veteran to aggravate a calf injury leading up to Week 1.
As a result, Fields was thrust into the starting role. Through the first six weeks of the season, Fields started for the Steelers and, while his play was somewhat uninspired, he led the franchise to a 4-2 record. Fields tallied 1,106 yards through the air, tossing five touchdowns and an interception while adding 231 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
However, head coach Mike Tomlin went against the grain and decided to flip to Wilson – and the gamble initially paid off. Wilson went 6-1 as the starter through his first seven games as a Steeler, with his signature deep ball unlocking George Pickens’ potential while his savviness to change the play at the line of scrimmage aided the Pittsburgh offense.
But when opponents started eliminating the deep threat, the offense dried up. The 10-3 Steelers closed out the regular season with four successive losses before falling to the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs.
During the four-game losing streak to end the regular season and the playoff game, the Steelers averaged just 14.2 points per game. As a result, Wilson is expected to hit free agency as Steelers president Art Rooney II conceded that the franchise is looking to re-sign just one of the two quarterbacks from the 2024 season moving forward.
“I think they’re both capable quarterbacks, and my preference would be to sign one of them,” Rooney said. “That’ll be a priority, and I think that will give us the best opportunity to move forward. Obviously, we’ll be looking in the draft as well. We’ve got a whole quarterback room to fill, and so there’s jobs open in there. I wouldn’t be surprised if we look at the draft, as well, either this year or next.”
He added: “I think both of them see themselves as starters, and I don’t know that they want to share the same job again next year. I would say most likely we won’t wind up bringing both back.”
If Wilson does not return to Pittsburgh, the veteran could find himself in Las Vegas. The Raiders recently hired Pete Carroll as their new head coach; Carroll and Wilson won a Super Bowl together at the Seattle Seahawks.
Earlier this week, the Raiders also interviewed Miami Dolphins quarterback coach and passing game coordinator Darrell Bevell for their offensive coordinator job. Bevell was Wilson’s OC in Seattle, so a reunion perhaps makes too much sense for all parties given the AFC West franchise’s need for a stable presence at quarterback in 2025.