NFL Legend Pushing For Russell Wilson To Fill QB Void For Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers still haven’t answered the most critical question of their offseason: Who will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2025?

Pittsburgh ran with a Justin Fields-Russell Wilson tandem last season. Fields signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets this offseason, and Wilson — having met with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants — remains available to sign anywhere. That includes a return to the Steelers which, according to legendary NFL coach Bill Cowher, is the “best” among all options for the organization at this point.

“I personally think that Russell Wilson is your best choice,” Cowher told the “Dan Patrick Show” Tuesday. “It’s gonna be a better offensive line room with (Troy) Fautanu coming back and moving Broderick (Jones) back to left tackle. I think you’re looking at the best receiving core you’re gonna have in a long time, in terms of if they can keep George Pickens or not — that’ll be the next conversation that you’ll have to have.”

Wilson has the experience of having led the Seattle Seahawks twice to the Super Bowl. The 36-year-old, now a 10-time Pro Bowler, accepted the sacrifice that came with splitting field general duties with Fields last season, all while remaining prepared for whatever opportunity opened up. Wilson demonstrated his poise and preparation during Pittsburgh’s 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13, completing 29 of 38 passes for 414 yards — a season-best — and three touchdowns.

That performance was a strong indicator that Wilson, although no longer in prime form, could still perform for a contender.

Pittsburgh collided with an unforeseen bump to complete its 2024 season by undergoing a five-game losing streak that snuck its way into the playoffs, but Cowher doesn’t pin that solely on Wilson. There’s of course the reported late-season friction in offensive philosophy that took place between Wilson and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

“You think about the last five losses (of the season), this wasn’t just on Russell Wilson,” Cowher said. “You played two of the teams who were in the Super Bowl and then you lost three games to division teams — two to Baltimore and one to Cincinnati — and those are very much playoff-caliber teams. I think we look at all five of them, you played against five really good quarterbacks, and the defensive didn’t play up to snuff, to be quite honest with you.”

Wilson finished last season starting the final 11 games for Pittsburgh. He completed 63.7% of his passes for 2,482 yards, with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions, and also ran for 155 yards with two rushing touchdowns.

The Steelers signed Wilson to a one-year, $1.21 million deal last offseason.

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