The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 offseason thus far has revolved around the quarterback position. Several names have been mentioned when discussing who will be the team's starting quarterback heading into the 2025 NFL season. As of Saturday, that person is Mason Rudolph, who started 13 games over four years for the Steelers. Since the start of free agency on March 10th, the Steelers have had a few different opportunities to address their quarterback issue.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' Russell Wilson drops back to make a pass at home against the New York Giants in 2024.
The Steelers could have found a way to keep Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, both of whom have left Pittsburgh for a New York team. Fields signed a deal with the New York Jets early in free agency, and Wilson recently inked a contract with the New York Giants.
Both Fields and Wilson played well during their respective times in Pittsburgh. Fields started the 2024 season off hot, leading the Steelers to a 4-2 record while Wilson worked his way back from a calf injury. Once Wilson returned from injury in Week 7, he continued to lead the Steelers on a hot streak. In Wilson's first seven games as a Steeler, he went 6-1, making the Steelers 10-3.
However, momentum ended abruptly as the Steelers lost their next five games, including a playoff defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens. The 2024 campaign could have been considered an audition for Fields and Wilson, as they were both on one-year deals. As decent as Wilson looked in those first seven games as a starter, one could believe those final five games caused hesitation for the Steelers.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Former Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson (left) and Justin Fields (right) on the field warming up before a work out during offseason activities at the UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
Wilson, who is 36 years old, has been heavily scrutinized since he departed from the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson is notorious for taking unnecessary sacks due to holding onto the ball longer than needed. Wilson is the fourth most sacked quarterback of all-time. Twice in his career, Wilson has been the most sacked quarterback in a season. In the 2019 campaign, Wilson was sacked 48 times, and then 55 times during the 2022 season, both of which weere league highs.
With Pittsburgh, Wilson totaled his career low in sacks with 33. However, Wilson only started 11 games in Pittsburgh, so even though he had a career low in sacks, it was his fifth-highest season in sack percentage. Unnecessary sacks seem to continue to be an issue and may never be resolved. Wilson is only getting older, and his mobility will continue to diminish, which could lead to a stagnant offense.
Many have speculated about the Steelers' commitment to Wilson, especially after it seemed as if the team had no interest in him following Fields' signing with the Jets. Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk thinks the Steelers never wanted Wilson back in the first place.
"Steelers had no interest in him," Florio said. "As the Giants rushed to the store for bread and milk, they ultimately grabbed the loaf of bread that the Steelers had returned. And there's something wrong with this loaf of bread because on the surface, it's a perfectly fine loaf of bread, but the Steelers want nothing to do with it."
On the surface, Wilson does appear to be a perfectly fine option at quarterback. Even through many of his struggles since leaving Seattle, Wilson is still a capable starting quarterback in the NFL. So, why didn't the Steelers attempt to get a deal done sooner, once Fields decided to leave?
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Russell Wilson scrambles around trying to find an open receiver.
Wilson is a guy who was already in the building and wouldn't need to adjust to the playbook or offensive scheme. Could it be that the Steelers do not trust in his on-field abilities moving forward? Aging quarterbacks typically have to adjust their playing styles once their physical abilities begin to diminish.
So, Wilson may not be able to make those explosive plays out of the pocket as much as he used to. This means he may be forced to sit in the pocket more, which could lead to him taking even more sacks.
Steelers Might Have To Worry About Aaron Rodgers
If the Steelers had any worries about Wilson's on-field abilities, that should also apply to Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers typically gets the ball out fast, but he also tends to hold on to the ball too long. Like Wilson, twice in Rodgers' career, he has been sacked the most in an NFL season. In 2012, Rodgers was sacked 51 times, and in 2009, he was sacked 50 times. Rodgers is the all-time leader in quarterback sacks, with a total of 571.
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Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson greet one another after a game in 2024.
So, the Steelers' 2025 NFL season may have looked similar with either guy under center. Both are aging quarterbacks who are on the other side of the hill in their careers. Whether the Steelers had decided to sign Wilson earlier in free agency or wait out the decision of Rodgers, they may find themselves in a similar situation next offseason.
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