The Pittsburgh Steelers watched quarterback Justin Fields join the New York Jets on Monday, and fellow signal-caller Russell Wilson could be the next to depart.
Wilson, a current free agent, has garnered interest from the Tennessee Titans, according to SNY’s Connor Hughes. Wilson spent a lone season in Pittsburgh, splitting starting quarterback responsibilities with Fields and leading the franchise to an AFC wild-card appearance against the Baltimore Ravens.
Entering the offseason, Wilson and Fields were the presumed premier starting quarterback candidates to fill Pittsburgh’s vacant seat. Wilson made 11 starts, totaling 2,482 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions, earning his first Pro Bowl nod since 2021. The 36-year-old led the Steelers to four straight victories and went 6-1 across his first seven starts with the franchise, however, the red-hot stretch fell apart in an untimely fashion.
Wilson got the starting nod during Pittsburgh’s wild-card matchup with Baltimore but couldn’t push the Steelers past the Ravens as the team suffered its fifth straight defeat of the season.
The highlight of Wilson’s (brief) Steelers tenure came in Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals when the Super Bowl champion himself erupted, throwing for 414 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 44-38 win. Pittsburgh failed to match that level of offensive production for the rest of the season, which could be attributed to a reported conflict of philosophy between Wilson and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
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It’s unknown what Wilson’s role would be if a deal gets done with the Titans since, unlike the Jets, who signed Fields to a two-year deal, Tennessee has the No. 1 pick in April’s 2025 NFL Draft. So, the Titans could either run with Wilson as their starter or sign the 13-year veteran to guide a rookie quarterback selected on draft night instead. Although Wilson is years removed from his prime, he’s accumulated loads of experience and insight valuable for any incoming rookie.
Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Sheduer Sanders are expected to be the first two quarterbacks drafted, so Wilson might have to prepare to deliver a mentorship-focused role in Tennessee, similar to what he provided Pittsburgh.
Wilson signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Steelers last offseason. He isn’t expected to net a notable multi-year contract, making him an all the more enticing option for a franchise like the Titans.
Tennessee finished last season at 3-14 and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
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