Despite speculation that Russell Wilson could be on the trade block, the Pittsburgh Steelers have no plans of dealing the nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion.
“There have been no trade talks surrounding Russell Wilson,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. “I don’t get the sense there’d really be an appetite to trade him even if the phone rings.”
The Insiders on @NFLNetwork with @MikeGarafolo and @TomPelissero: Russell Wilson will be active for the first time as the #Steelers backup; Do the #Saints have a steal in Spencer Rattler? It’s Maye Day in New England. pic.twitter.com/3EYC2PDxIl
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 13, 2024
With Wilson healthy, a decision for Mike Tomlin to name a starting quarterback is looming. Justin Fields has struggled as a passer in the last two games, but he was impressive as a runner in Sunday’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders, recording two rushing touchdowns.
Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton believes a decision secretly has already been made and it does not include Wilson being QB1. That’s why he thinks the Steelers should trade Wilson.
“Honestly, use Russell Wilson as trade value,” Newton said on ESPN’s First Take on Friday. “The fact that Miami Dolphins haven’t reached out to Pittsburgh is beyond me, especially with the specific situation at this particular point in time. I know we’ve seen enough in Pittsburgh to really crown Justin Fields, and they’ve said it without really saying it. The whole morale of the team, guys are fighting for him. They’re playing for him. And I don’t know, it’s probably too deep for Russell Wilson at the end of the day.”
Wilson has a no-trade clause in his contract, so he would have to sign off on a deal first. The Miami Dolphins have been heavily linked to Wilson since they don’t have a reliable quarterback now with Tua Tagovailoa out indefinitely after suffering a fourth concussion in two years.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic thinks the momentum Fields has built may make it impossible for a healthy Wilson to reclaim the starting quarterback position.
“It’s been made clear to me over the last few weeks that the locker room and coaching staff in Pittsburgh love Fields. So while the big question hovering over every game has been, will Mike Tomlin make the switch to Russell Wilson now? Based on my read, the momentum Fields has built may make it impossible for a healthy Wilson to reclaim that spot at the top of the depth chart,” Russini wrote.
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