After one season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Russell Wilson is set to hit free agency this offseason. While he’s expressed interest in returning to Pittsburgh, indications suggest he may play elsewhere, especially with other teams showing interest in the veteran quarterback. On Friday morning, former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was officially introduced as the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and there’s a possibility that Wilson could reunite with Carroll in Las Vegas.
NFL insider Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported that Carroll and Wilson have “mended fences,” and Wilson might serve as a “stopgap” option for the Raiders as they seek a long-term solution at quarterback. “With Pete Carroll taking over the Raiders, one name I’ve heard to watch at QB: Russell Wilson. They’ve mended fences, per source, and Wilson could be a stopgap while the Raiders develop a long-term answer,” Howe shared in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Wilson and Carroll had a successful 10-season partnership with the Seattle Seahawks, culminating in a Super Bowl XLVIII victory following the 2013 season before Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos. However, reports have surfaced indicating that the Steelers were not satisfied with Wilson’s performance down the stretch.
NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated revealed that the Steelers had “frustration” with Wilson’s late-season struggles, casting doubt on his future. “Wilson and Justin Fields are both free agents. Will either be back in Pittsburgh? There was frustration with Wilson down the stretch, so I’m not sure how far the Steelers will be willing to go to keep him,” Breer wrote in Sports Illustrated.
A significant challenge for Wilson and the Steelers is the financial landscape. This past season, Wilson played on a league-minimum salary, largely due to remaining payments from the Denver Broncos after his mid-contract release. If Pittsburgh wishes to retain him, a much larger financial commitment would be necessary. Breer also noted the Ravens playoff game as a critical moment in determining Wilson’s future, with the offense’s poor performance in that game potentially sealing his fate. “I’d heard before the playoff game Saturday that the playoffs would likely help set the course. Based on how the offense played…” Breer mentioned, casting doubt on Wilson’s prospects.
Similarly, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk expressed skepticism about Wilson’s return to Pittsburgh, stating, “I will be beyond stunned if Russell Wilson is back in any capacity with the Steelers next year,” during a recent appearance on 93.7 The Fan. Given the Steelers’ frustrations with Wilson and the potential competition from the Raiders for his contract, it increasingly appears that his tenure in Pittsburgh may be coming to an end.
