The Steelers’ preference entering the negotiating period was to keep Justin Fields in place instead of Russell Wilson. That plan is no longer an option since the former agreed to a two-year Jets deal on Monday.
Wilson is still on the market, and he would obviously be a familiar option after spending the 2024 season as Pittsburgh’s starter (when healthy). The Steelers have become one of the suitors for Aaron Rodgers, however, and a deal could be in place soon. As talks on the Rodgers front continue, Wilson is not out of Pittsburgh’s plans yet.
Should the Rodgers negotiations break down, Wilson resides as a fallback option at this point, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. That might be a humbling position for a playoff team’s primary starter to reside, but Wilson looks to have other options. The Giants and Titans are believed to be interested, though New York is also in on Rodgers, who cannot officially be released until Wednesday afternoon. The Browns are also believed to still be eyeing a veteran, despite their Kenny Pickett acquisition.
A report Monday night indicated a Rodgers-Steelers deal could go down today, and SI.com’s Albert Breer said during a Rich Eisen Show segment the Steelers were fairly confident as of Monday that Rodgers would select them. The Giants remain in the mix, and Breer expects Rodgers to end up in Pittsburgh or to switch locker rooms at MetLife Stadium. The Giants have made their pitch and are indeed waiting on Rodgers’ decision, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes.
Although a weekend report connected the Vikings to Rodgers — in what would be an eerie parallel to the Brett Favre career path — Breer indicates he would be surprised if the future Hall of Famer ends up in Minnesota. That said, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano does not view the Vikings as out of this mix yet. This situation differs from last year’s Wilson decision and what could happen if the Falcons cut Kirk Cousins, as Rodgers could see a notable salary in 2025. The Broncos were already paying Wilson’s salary, while Cousins’ 2025 money is guaranteed as well.
The Steelers and Vikings are coming off playoff seasons and would be better positioned to complement Rodgers this year; that said, the Giants have been busy in free agency, most notably re-signing Darius Slayton and adding Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo. While Minnesota has J.J. McCarthy and New York holds the No. 3 overall pick, Pittsburgh may be committed to a full season of Rodgers if he is to sign. The Steelers not holding a pick in the top 20 would stand to give them an advantage for Rodgers, who would not need to look over his shoulder at a prospect — in all likelihood — were he to choose Pittsburgh.
As for Wilson, waiting on Rodgers’ talks with the Steelers may not sit too well. The younger of the two aging options finished two spots higher in QBR (23rd to 25th) last season and piloted the team to the playoffs. The Steelers’ late-season collapse, however, has not reflected well on Wilson, who appears behind Rodgers with the Giants as well.
Decisions should come soon, but Rodgers having this much say in how the QB market plays, at 41 and coming off an underwhelming Jets tenure, is interesting. But teams are still intrigued by the all-time QB talent. He has a clear route to play a 21st season and remain a starter.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post
Guess they really didn’t want Fields.
As a Bears fan, I can say you can’t blame them
They wanted him. They just didn’t want to pay him market value.
They weren’t willing to give their first choice $20 million a year, so they are reportedly talking about giving $45 million.
It’s not going well on the South Side.
If Rodger’s signs with the Steelers they will be a 1 win playoff team then out in the divisional round of the playoffs.
When was the last time Mike T won a playoff game, 8 years ago? Something like that. Rodgers is done anyways.
The fact that they can’t even get Rodgers to come there is pretty telling about what the players as a whole think of the Steelers right now. Obviously they’re not really impressed.
I mean you’re not saying anything profound. The player report card reflects that Tomlin is the only thing players like about the Steelers, and it’s been like that for years now. They usually get D’s and F’s on everything but coaching where Tomlin is always near the top of the league. That’s similar for the Chiefs by the way, but they did improve in other areas this year for a change.
I don’t understand why they’re so hung up Tomlin.
Zero chance Rodgers wins a playoff game.
I don’t even think they make the playoffs. Rodgers can’t move anymore, and their line isn’t good. He’s also never worked in any system outside of that one he brought to the Jets with ihm. A lot of passive aggressive comments will be forthcoming if this happens. Would be ironic for Tomlin to finally have a losing season with Rodgers in the twilight of his career.
If they sign Rodgers then is there any other team looking for a starter or is Wilson going to have to sign as a back up somewhere
They keep saying one goes to the Steelers and the other goes to the Giants.
The Steelers are allowing Rodgers to dictate all of this. It’s ridiculous. Give him a deadline and move on. He’s 42, not 32
Rodgers owned the Jets for 2 years. I agree, it’s BS.
I was so happy that Fields did what I wanted him to do and gave Tomlin and the Rooney’s the finger and ran not walked to the Jets. Because he saw it as a BETTER opportunity. LOL
You continue to make it sound like Fields is some established superstar and that he really endeared himself to fans here. It’s hilarious. Who cares? Really. I agree. He’s another player who was lied to. He made a good decision. But as far as I know, you’re the only dude still talking about it as if he really put the screws to them
Obviously you’re not reading some of the other comments here. And again I never said Fields was a superstar. I just said he was better than Wilson and he is.
I always agree with many of your thoughts
And you’re right. Fans have strange takes.
What I keep learning is that many fans are fantasy football fans before being the fan of any one team.
Just to clear the air, Tanking is the very definition of losing to obtain a better draft pick. What’s hilarious is that most teams do it to obtain a better First round pick. The Steelers did it to obtain a better FOURTH round pick. You might not like the term, But it’s totally accurate. As far as your next QB you can pick between Rodgers( Rock) And Wilson( Hard Place). Or….. You can hope that a guy like Jaxson Dart falls to you in the first round where you draft, Because that worked so well with Pickett, Or trade a boatload of Draft Picks to get Sanders or Ward, Which might not turn out any better. Watching intently to see what happens next because this is great comedy. The one guy you had that WANTED to be there, At least last year, Now would rather play for the JETS. Wow
As stated previously, I just don’t think Metcalf comes here and signs for five years if something isn’t in the works.
I’m not impressed by any of the choices and like you, thought Fields was the best option out of the bunch given his youth, legs and upside.
But this was another case of a player buying into what he was told and largely riding the pine
I’m intrigued by what CYardsJeff posted (below), something being predicted by The Sporting News.
Truthfully, if it’s not something deeper like that, you’re right. It’s a clown show
Well there’s no link to the article so I have no idea what it is. Have no access to the Sporting News. So having said that, Getting Murray will cost just as much as trying to trade for Ward or Sanders. A boatload of picks. Either way, I can’t see Murray being happier to play in Pittsburgh than AZ. Plus AZ is now on the way up. Pittsburgh is very much on the way down but that’s just my opinion.
link to sportingnews.com
Disagree about Murray wanting to come here and on being on the way down. Wouldn’t take much to make the Steelers competitive.
And agree completely about the draft
You sound like most of my fellow Cub fans with the optimism. Keep the faith brother. LOL
Being a Cardinal fan and with the GM they Cards have now; I could not see this GM just trading Murray for anything less than a deal that would cost the Steelers a boat load of picks or players. Maybe a prime player like Watt and additional two ones and lower future picks. It would make the Steelers say how bad do we want Murray to mortgage the future. This GM would definitely demand a lot in return for Murray, playing on how bad the Steelers need a QB.
Me, I trade Watt and his salary tomorrow if it either yields me high picks or a stud player
I like Watt. He’s an all-timer here. But he’s not going to push them ahead from being an edge.
Better than Wilson? Didn’t look like it last year. I think the plan was for him to sit and learn for a year and go from there because he’s younger. But they were the #1 seed after Wilson took over, and it’s mainly their defense that fell apart during that losing streak. That’s the side of the ball with guys making record setting money, so you’d think they would have made those games at least competitive. Instead, they got run on for 200 a couple of times and didn’t show up for a playoff game.
Giants.
Fine with me. If these are the choices, they ought to see what Big Ben is up to
Said it before all the FA started…Steelers are gonna walk themselves into settling for Gardner Minshew. Makes it worse after the DK trade. On top of that what’s the plan with Pickens, or like everything with this franchise, is there even one?
I just can’t believe Metcalfe willingly comes here without some solid understanding of who is gonna play QB. It makes no sense. It couldn’t just be a money thing when three or four other teams were willing to pay the same.
It’s why I suspect Wilson is in the wings here given their history. Not that I’m a fan of his, but it almost has to be
Metcalf was traded and didnt have a no trade clause. It matters 0 if he has an idea of whos playing QB or if hes willing/unwilling
Baloney. He’s signing a 5 year contract here. He certainly has a good idea of who’s gonna be here
Like “Baloney.”
“He certainly has a good idea of who’s gonna be here”, he said with 0 proof and just a “trust me bro” all because a guy who didnt have a no-trade clause was traded.
FYI, whoever theyre getting is a bridge QB. Metcalf signing a 5 year extension doesnt mean he knows whos going to be there because in a year or two theyll be moving to another QB and no one knows who will even be available at that point. You are so off base and running with conspiracy-theory level of reasoning to support your claim that has 0 evidence. Hes signed a contract because it will net him $150MM, not because the Steelers were able to tell him whos going to be QB in each year 1-5.
Yep. My 0 proof is as good as your 0 proof
You don’t know who they’re getting or what they’re working on behind the scenes but by slll means, continue to proselytize with your own theories as gospel
In fact, your theory is based upon the idea of pure greed. Yeah. I’m sure pro athletes in the upper echelon just blindly sign contracts with no regards to the landscape they’ll place themselves in
It’s so ridiculously stupid given the modern NFL, it’s laughable
I have 0 proof.. of what? Im not making a claim. You are. But pretending 150MM isnt enough of an incentive is pretty silly and youre onto nothing. We both know the QB the Steelers are deciding between arent long term options so your whole “DK has to know whats going on otherwise he wouldnt sign a 5 year deal” is whats laughable. Cya
Giants are better with Wilson. However, does Wilson want New York? I’m not convinced Ward and Sanders are franchise players. Take a chance on a QB in the later rounds.
I wouldn’t mind them trading for Milton. But I think in Hard Knocks Daboll and Schoen said they would play him it another position so I’m thinking they are not interested.
Rumblings in Cardinals land about moving Kyler Murray. Maybe to the Steelers. I mean DK coming here to a non warm weather climate when it was made public he wanted to play in warmer weather, leads me to believe there is something in the works at QB. Yes?
Lateral move climate wise. You know that, Jeff
And you’re right. Seems like this is deeper
Apparently they had inquired about Trevor Lawrence in early Feb then downplayed it
I’ll reiterate that Metcalf doesn’t come here and sign a 5-year contract unless there’s some understanding about QB
No way a guy like that is ok with playing with some similar Rudolph/Trubisky/Pickett combo with lesser QBs
You can keep reiterating it, doesnt make it true.
You seem to be following me around the site. I must excite you.
Just read that story in The Sporting News, Jeff. Thanks. Would love that trade as the best of all available outcomes listed so far
Being a Cardinal fan, I have heard the rumblings of a Murray trade for the last 2 years. But he is still here, and he will be here in 25 unless the Steelers want to overpay as a team that is desperate for a QB other than a 42year old and a QB in Wilson that if they are in talks with Rodgers must not have a lot of confidence in Wilson that he is the one to lead them to at least a 12 win season and a solid playoff run. That is what the Steeler fans are use to not a game over 500 and barely squeak into the playoffs and get beat the first round.
Good points.
I don’t think any of the guys we’ve heard as being candidates were very exciting
I like the idea of Metcalf and Pickens but if they’re going the trade route, I’m guessing Pickens is part of it
It’s hard to believe any team would be that desperate as to allow a 42 year old QB to hold them hostage like this. And I think they soured on Wilson although he’s likely who ends up here
Murray might be what you call an overpay but a guy who moves quickly behind this line, has youth and a good arm? Why not?
I’m a Ravens fan. My take on the Steelers is the same take I have on my Ravens in regards to seasonal goal. Simply, win the damn Super Bowl! Last year, Steelers brass realized it wasn’t gonna happen with that Kenny kid from Jersey so they moved on. After covering the QB landscape with a fine tooth comb, the FO came up with this Fields and Wilson as the best available in road to the SB.
So here they are, again. Another off season since the Big Ben era trying to get, in the
Another off season since Big Ben era trying to get to the promised land. Metcalf. Came here to catch balls from a 42 yr old? Hard to believe. Interesting to read here that there was a Trevor L connection a year or so back. Makes sense to me. As does the latest rumblings out of Arizona about Murray. Yes. Outrageously, expensive but….with that whatever it takes mantra to win a SB, I could see Pitt brass pulling the trigger.
Just talk to a friend of mind who is really in the know of the Cardinals, asking him what his thoughts on a possible Murray trade. He told me that he could see maybe a deal being talked about by a lot of teams that are in need of a QB. Saying if a deal is going to happen it would be closer to the draft, with the other part of the AZ trade with the Cards moving up in the draft if a certain QB was still on the draft board. It all depends how fast the trigger gets pulled on a Murray deal. He also said it was really interesting the Cards have sign QB Jacoby Brisset to be their backup especially how he was used in New England for their QB to get his feet on the ground as well as Indy to tutor Richardson. He said they would hope to move up to the at least the six spot in the draft for that QB, that is where they said Sanders would may drop to.
Thanks for the intel desertdawg. Great stuff. Cheers!
Yes. Very interesting although the Steelers pick wouldn’t accomplish a move up the board
Found it interesting also that Louis Reddick on ESPN discussed the Steelers have already met with Louisville’s QB
Kid is older and has some size but from the times I saw him this year has some real potential. You never know
link to nbcsports.com
Russell is still a good QB but he doesn’t love football anymore. He has spent the last few years thinking about life after and outside of football.
Rodgers is still a good QB but he’s a weirdo and in his 40’s.
They are better off bringing Brady out of retirement.
You’re going against everything Wilson has said. Like wanting to play five more years and how much he loves the game.
And Rodgers? Yeah, he’s a weirdo. And all his teammates respect him.
Guess my point is that either guy would fit. From the outside though, sure seems like Rodgers—at 42–is holding two teams hostage
Also remember that if Wilson was such a solid QB with a lot of interest by other teams the Raiders have a new HC who used to be Wilson SB winning year HC and the Raiders instead went and traded for Wilson replacement.
To me, Rodgers and Wilson are the same player. Old, injury risks who are shadows of their former selves and total narcissists. Rodgers might throw it a touch better. Wilson is a bit more mobile.
NEITHER will get them where they claim they want to go. So, why bother?
Paying either of them anything close to QB1 money is insane. I get that they painted themselves into a desperate and sad corner, but…no way.
Honestly, they’d be better offer bringing in two of the marginal starter/high end backup types for a combined $10 million or so and letting them compete…Winston, Rudolph, Minshew, whoever…for the job and using the extra cap space to load up at as many other positions as possible.
How is Wilson a narcissist especially when compared to Rodgers?
Fair question. Wilson’s narcissism is far more subtle. Rodgers’ narcissism is laying on the table for all to see and he doesn’t care.
The same way a narcissist “love bombs” women, Wilson comes in with his rah rah ultimate team guy schtick, but in reality, it’s all about getting himself more power, more control, more attention, etc. (For the locals, Mike Prisuta fell head over heels for Wilson’s act, for ex. Couldn’t stop gushing over it.)
He’s loathed by the Seahawks and loathed by the Broncos because they realized what he is and dumped him, even though it was expensive.
Steelers brass -” we only want you Russell if Aaron doesn’t sign with us”
Is Rodgers down to two teams or is he up to two teams?
The Steelers better hope they have a offensive line that can protect an aging and slow QB. They couldn’t protect Wilson or Fields and both are mobile QB’s.Committing to Training Camp would do Rodger’s justice. No matter how experienced you’re you need timing with your teammates.
In this case, both teams’ offensive lines stink. Tomlin has coached around the issue. The Giants have been a train wreck in that regard.
I agree, although I’m not sure how “Tomlin coached around the issue”
They beat teams they should have beaten. That’s about it.
They were supposed to beat Houston? Last few years, they were supposed to beat the Ravens when Jackson was starting? They were supposed to beat the Bengals? Considering how things ended up, they were supposed to beat the Chargers and Broncos? Steeler fans seem to be delusional of the actual talent on their team, which you’ll get a rude awakening on when Tomlin finally does walk away. They’ve been putting bandages on a lot of positions like that offensive line and QB for close to ten years now. Ben wasn’t right after the elbow injury, and the offensive line has been below average since that one core of Pouncy, DeCastro, etc. moved on.
They didn’t play Houston this year
Nix was just getting the feel of things early in the season
The Bengals have an offense but gave up 44 to Russ
Herbert was hobbled against them
The Ravens game is a rivalry. Could’ve easily gone to them in that game
Anything else?
They lost to Indy. Lost to the Cowboys
What’s your point
They got absolutely mangled by the big boys down the stretch, so much so that commentators made note of them looking like they quit.
Rude awakening? Most fans have been well aware of everything you’ve put forth.
You’re right. They never replaced Ben. Or DeCastro. Or Pouncey.
But national media keeps pounding the “never have had a losing season”. Yeah. Ok
They’re stuck in the mushy middle unless they make some huge moves. Otherwise, it’ll be around 9 wins every year with no real hope of being a contender. But hey, at least Tomlin may continue his streak. Sheesh
Steelers are in a dilemma about month from the draft, they are really stuck with no clear future QB. They are deciding on Rodgers and Wilson now so they are playing for one season with either a 42 yr old QB whose better years are at least 8 to 10 yrs ago, or a QB that could only get you to a one game over .500 at 9-8, and a one and done in the playoffs. Is that what the Steelers are down to. They have not drafted a QB that could be a game changer by himself since Big Ben, they drafted a QB in the first round as a replacement who is now seen himself be traded after two years to the Eagles as a backup, now going to another team in 25. Steelers are in a hole at QB, RB, OL, they have been compared to the Giants as a QB hole. If the Steelers cannot come out of this draft with a QB they can hang their hat on for the future and have to depend on a Wilson or Rodgers for the next two years how happy are Steeler fans going to be when this proud franchise goes 500 and barely makes the playoffs just to be defeated in the first round.
Agree with all of this. And you didn’t even mention D-line.
I hope they’re going deeper than we know on the QB issue. It’s nice to dream. Otherwise, it’s continuous Groundhogs Day
Agreed on DL.
On the OL…we have a question mark at LT. For all intent and purposes, we have a 1st round pick stepping in at RT (Fautanu). Worst case, we need a RT…so we can swing Fautanu over to LT if Jones falters. Fautanu was a bona fide 1st round talent last year.
So entering the draft…DB, DL, RB, QB, depth across the board. I would love for us to leave this draft with 2 or 3 DL (one NT, 2 DE), a CB, a S, a RB, and maybe a QB. It isn’t deep this year…and don’t want to draft someone just to say we did.
For the record, I think we should trade Watt to obtain additional draft capital.
Agree 100%
He’s a tremendous player and Rooney loves guys who are career Steelers. But they pushed Polamalu and Hines into retirement, too
Recent reports suggest it is now down to one team and that Rodgers has chosen the Steelers.
AB said that yesterday.
Just because he did that…I won’t believe it until the NFL actually acknowledges it happened.
So effing tired of Rodgers. Just dragging it out to keep his name in the news. Hope the Steelers give him until Friday noon. Then move on to Wilson. Rodgers learned this crap from Farve. Wilson’s the superior mentor for whatever QB Pittsburgh drafts this year.