Russell Wilson Heads to NFC as Steelers Remain All In on Aaron Rodgers
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is joining the New York Giants for the 2025 NFL season.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is heading to the NFC, signing a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed, with the New York Giants, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Wilson, 36, spent the 2024 season with the Steelers in what was a tale of two halves. After returning from a calf injury in Week 7, Wilson helped rattle off six wins in seven games. But his play took a downturn on the team’s five-game losing streak to end the season.
During that span, the Steelers failed to score more than 17 points in every game, a streak that hasn’t occurred since Chuck Noll’s first season in 1969. It’s safe to say that left a sour taste in the Steelers mouths and played a role in Wilson not returning.
However, there were also reports that Wilson and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith butted heads over changing plays at the line of scrimmage. The Smith factor could be the biggest reason why Wilson is not back with the Steelers.
Wilson visited with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants almost two weeks ago, but he left without a deal on both occasions. As a result, many believed he was just putting pressure on the Steelers to make a decision at quarterback.
It now becomes clear that he was making a decision on where he wanted to play in 2025. That always seemed like the most likely outcome as the Steelers remain all in on Aaron Rodgers, who is still “in no rush” to make a decision himself.
That could now change, though. The Minnesota Vikings already ruled themselves out of the Rodgers sweepstakes and the Wilson signing all but rules out the Giants, too.
Rodgers’ options now seem to be down to the Steelers or retirement, and it’s safe to say Pittsburgh likes its odds.
In 11 games, Wilson completed 214 of 316 passes (63.7%) for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 95.6 passer rating.