The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2025 offseason with one goal: solidify the quarterback position. Instead, they find themselves in a worse situation than a year ago. The latest blow came when unrestricted free agent Russell Wilson signed a one-year deal up to $21 million with the New York Giants, officially ending his brief but eventful tenure in Pittsburgh.
Wilson’s time with the Steelers was a rollercoaster. After sitting on the bench for the first six weeks of the 2024 season, he was thrust into the starting lineup following a dramatic comeback victory against the New York Jets.
From there, he took command of the offense, finishing the season with 2,482 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. However, his inconsistency plagued the team down the stretch. The Steelers dropped five consecutive games to close out the regular season, barely sneaking into the playoffs before being eliminated in the divisional round.
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That late-season collapse forced Pittsburgh’s front office to reevaluate their quarterback situation. Initially, it seemed the Steelers would have options. Justin Fields was a potential target, but he ultimately signed with the Jets. Wilson’s exit was predictable, as both sides had hinted at parting ways.
However, the Steelers’ failure to secure an equivalent replacement leaves them scrambling for answers.
Russell Wilson's new deal with the New York Giants leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers without a bridge QB
With Wilson gone and Fields off the market, the Steelers now wait on an answer from Aaron Rodgers. The veteran quarterback has yet to decide whether to retire or sign a short-term deal with Pittsburgh.
It puts the Steelers in an awkward and frustrating position—waiting for a player who may never suit up for them.
Relying on Rodgers’ decision-making is a dangerous game. If he chooses to retire, the Steelers will be left without a proven quarterback option, forcing them to turn to the draft or rely on recent signee Mason Rudolph. Given the uncertainty surrounding Rodgers’ future, Pittsburgh should have pursued a contingency plan rather than putting themselves in this precarious spot.
The Steelers have no one to blame but themselves for fumbling the early portion of the offseason. They had ample time to secure a legitimate starting quarterback. Instead, they watched other teams secure the best available options.
Now, they face the possibility of entering the 2025 season with no clear answer at the position. Instead of having Wilson as a bridge quarterback for whoever the front office could draft in April or by in next year's draft, Pittsburgh is left without a bridge QB who could help make a smooth transition at the helm.
Waiting on Rodgers to choose between retirement and a one-year deal is not a position any franchise should aspire to be in. Yet, the Steelers have put themselves in exactly that predicament.
If they don’t act fast, they could be heading into next season with an even shakier quarterback situation than the one they had in 2024—and that’s a troubling thought for a team trying to stay competitive in a brutal AFC North.