Steelers QB Plans Are Very Clear for 2025

Pittsburgh Steelers Justin Fields Russell Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson after a win over the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 17, 2023. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Adam Schefter of ESPN revealed during Thursday’s Get Up episode that Russell Wilson is expected to be the Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback in 2025. This tracks with what NFL insider Dianna Russini reported in November.

“This is where they’re currently at,” Schefter said. “You asked about the team’s situation in the future. They’d like to go ahead and keep Russell Wilson and re-sign him to keep him in Pittsburgh. But, even if they couldn’t, what do you want them to do with the quarterback position? Who’s going to be out there that’s an upgrade over Russell Wilson right now?

“There are two logical first-round quarterbacks in the draft. They’re not going to get either one of those. The top free-agent quarterbacks are going to be Sam Darnold and Russell Wilson. Is there another quarterback in the trade market that all of a sudden is going to spring free? Probably not. So, this is where the Steelers are.”

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 25, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Wilson revealed during a recent episode of Hard Knocks that he has no plans of leaving the Steel City following the 2024 season. Wilson, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in March, is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

During the opening of Wilson and his wife Ciara’s first ‘Why Not You’ center in Pittsburgh, Wilson was asked by a young Steelers fan if likes playing in Pittsburgh.

“Yeah, I love it here. It’s awesome,” Wilson answered.

Wilson was then asked if he’s going to re-sign with the Steelers.

Wilson is 6-4 as a starter this season. He has completed 64.6% of his passes for 2,334 yards with 15 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 97.4. He has regressed significantly in the last three games, however.

Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton believes the Russell Wilson honeymoon in Pittsburgh is over. He thinks it would behoove of the franchise to move on from the 36-year-old quarterback after the season.

Newton would rather see the Steelers hand the job over to Justin Fields, who was the starter before Wilson was inserted into the starting lineup in Week 7.

“No. But you bring back Justin Fields though. And you develop him the right way though. Father Time ain’t on our side. [Wilson] ain’t no spring chicken,” Newton said on Friday’s First Take.

“Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson. Can Justin Fields by his ceiling — has he shown it consistently? No. But can he give you what those guys can? Yes. Develop him… he has not gotten that opportunity.”

Pittsburgh Steelers Justin Fields
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports is on the same page as Newton. He thinks Wilson should not return.

“The Steelers played three games in 11 days, all against teams with 10-plus wins. The offensive numbers weren’t good, and neither was Wilson,” Kerr wrote. “Pittsburgh averages just 280.7 yards per game and 13.0 offensive points per game over the past three, all with Wilson at quarterback.

“Wilson has completed just 64.1% of his passes for 550 yards with three touchdowns to two interceptions and an 82.2 passer rating. The Steelers quarterback has also taken 10 sacks and has just a 73.3 passer rating when facing the blitz during the skid.”

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