Just when Russell Wilson thought he had found a new home, he could again be in the lurch in 2025.
Steelers president Art Rooney II said earlier this offseason that his preference was to retain only one of Wilson or Justin Fields on a multi-year deal, and it appears the team is trending toward a decision that doesn’t include the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that it appears that Fields “has an edge” over Wilson to return to the Steel City for the 2025 season despite being supplanted by the latter last year.
Rooney had previously said that only one of the quarterbacks would return in 2025 since they don’t want to be in a situation again where both players believe they should be the starter.
“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,” Rooney said. “So, I would say most likely we probably don’t wind up bringing them both back.”
Fields, who is entering his age-26 season, started the year as the Steelers’ quarterback, going 4-2.
He played in 10 games total, throwing for five touchdowns and one interception with 1,106 passing yards while rushing for 289 yards and five touchdowns.
Coach Mike Tomlin then controversially chose Wilson over Fields despite the 4-2 record going into Week 7 against the Jets.
NFL insider Albert Breer said at the time that “a ton of” people in the building didn’t agree with benching Fields.
In response, Tomlin said, “That’s why I’m well-compensated.”
Wilson played well initially and helped lead the Steelers to the playoffs, but Pittsburgh lost its final five games — including its wild-card ouster — and the sour ending thus changed the outlook on Wilson’s tenure.
The Steelers will have plenty of competition for Fields’ services, though, as he is expected to have many potential suitors, given his age and athleticism.
Fowler adds that Wilson, 36, considers the Giants a potential fit.
The Giants are nearly certain to add a veteran quarterback in 2025, as they’ve kicked around several options, including meeting with Matthew Stafford and discussing the idea of bringing in Aaron Rodgers.
Wilson tossed 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions to go along with 2,482 passing yards in 11 games for the Steelers.
That would put him on a 3,616-yard, 25-touchdown pace over a 17-game schedule.
Those stats would be the best numbers the Giants have received from the quarterback position since 2019, when Big Blue entered the season with Eli Manning as their starting quarterback.
The Giants, of course, also could potentially draft a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick.
