The NFL season is rolling along in Week 5 as the Pittsburgh Steelers enjoy a well-deserved bye. Sitting at 3-1, Mike Tomlin's group had an effective month of September knowing that a good start to the year was pivotal due to a tough backend of the 2025 schedule. The team has a legitimate shot to win five out of its first six games because of the next two contests being against an injured Cincinnati Bengals unit and unimpressive Cleveland Browns bunch. It will be important to not look down on opponents, but it's hard not to be excited as a fan in the Steel City.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
While some early-season success is certainly being enjoyed by the Steelers, fans have the right to continue to think about the future. NFL franchises need top-notch quarterbacks to have success long-term, and Pittsburgh hasn't figured that part out since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 campaign. Dating back to the future Hall of Famer's final year, the organization has started each of the last five campaigns with five different signal-callers atop the depth chart.
There was also a sixth individual in the mix in Russell Wilson, who didn't begin the 2024 season as the first-string guy because of an injured calf. The veteran signed a contract with the New York Giants during the 2025 offseason, but it didn't take very long for Head Coach Brian Daboll to bench him in favor of exciting rookie Jaxson Dart.
The future is now: The #Giants are making first-round rookie QB Jaxson Dart their starter, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2025
After just a short stint starting and an 0-3 record, Russell Wilson heads to the bench. The Giants had a package of plays for Dart. Now, they’ll unleash it all. pic.twitter.com/J2fu3MUkiK
If things continue to go south for the Giants, it doesn't make sense to keep both Wilson and Jameis Winston on the roster as the trade deadline nears. For the Steelers, they are intensely rooting for New York to deal Wilson much sooner rather than later. Pittsburgh is projected to have roughly 12 draft picks in 2026, with several being compensatory. It's possible that the one for Wilson could fall all the way to a sixth-rounder if he doesn't see the field again in 2025.
And...Russell Wilson couldn't make it past Week 3 before the bench got him.
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) September 23, 2025
That pretty much kills any dreams of him contributing a 4th round 2026 compensatory pick to the Steelers, and there's a real threat of his contract falling to the 6th round.https://t.co/YyjSbsVq4b
In short, the Giants trading Wilson to a quarterback-needy team (ahem, the Bengals?) could lead to the veteran getting back into a starting lineup. This would significantly increase the Steelers' chances of getting a better comp pick for Wilson.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson runs against the Bengals in Week 13 of the 2024 regular season during an away game in Cincinnati, OH.
It was confirmed by cap guru Nick Korte that the Steelers would indeed find it beneficial if Giants General Manager Joe Schoen decided to deal Wilson to an organization that would play him.
That should help.
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) September 23, 2025
Pittsburgh won't be throwing any parties if Wilson is traded at some point, but everything will help in 2026 when it comes to potentially trying to draft a future franchise quarterback. A fourth or fifth-round selection will work much better in trade discussions to move up in the first round compared to a sixth if New York's now-backup doesn't get another opportunity in 2025.
Peter Casey / Imagn Images
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Sept. 7, 2025.
Steelers Are Looking To Have Made Right Quarterback Decision In 2025 Offseason
Wilson has been benched and Justin Fields' New York Jets have yet to win a football game entering Week 5. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers is playing great football and has led Pittsburgh to a strong start to the year. It's evident that Tomlin and General Manager Omar Khan were right to be patient as the 41-year-old mulled his future over in the offseason. Now, the Steelers can only hope that the Giants trade Wilson in a timely manner.
Do you think that the Steelers care about the compensatory pick for Wilson? Let us know in the comments below!
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