“I’m preparing my mind to get ready to go.” Only 24 hours after Russell Wilson said this about his week 6 availability, Cam Newton has come up with his own solution for the Steelers quarterback room. And let us give you a heads-up that if you are a Russ fan, take this with a pinch of salt.

Speaking on First Take, the retired NFL signal-caller was brutally honest when he said that the Steelers should “use Russell Wilson as trade, trade value.” Newton’s take is bold, no doubt. But there’s logic behind it. Sure, Russ hasn’t been cooking the way we’re used to, but his legacy? That’s Hall of Fame-bound, no question.

Newton’s suggestion isn’t about tearing Wilson down; it’s about giving him a chance to finish strong somewhere else. It’s like subbing out your star quarterback to preserve him for the playoffs—just with bigger stakes. Canton could still be in Russ’s future, but it might take a different uniform to get him there.

Cam was also quick to point out Pittsburgh’s love affair with Justin Fields. The Steelers have pretty much crowned Fields as the starter without saying it outright. And don’t forget when Cam stirred the pot earlier in the season, starting a controversy. The former NFL MVP said: “If Russell Wilson was really hurt. Like really hurt. He wouldn’t have even dressed. So they’re gonna keep distracting us with, ‘Hey, it’s his calf. It’s his calf. It’s his calf.”

At this point, Newton feels like the guy who could start an interim tussle in Pittsburgh with these comments. His claims do have some weight, but let’s face it—they’re more like whispers in the wind, destined to remain unsolved mysteries. Meanwhile, for Mike Tomlin and Co., the only focus should be to stop this downward spiral and avoid a three-game losing streak after a hot 3-0 start.

As for Russ, where does he fit into this mess? A trade might actually make sense—if Pittsburgh can find a team willing to bite. Newton tossed Miami and Las Vegas as potential destinations. Both teams could snag Wilson for cheap, but so far, it’s all just chatter.

And with Russ eyeing a return soon, these trade talks might disappear faster than a two-minute drill gone wrong.

Russell Wilson’s ready no matter what Mike Tomlin decides

That early success did raise a few eyebrows, particularly when you consider the Steelers’ competition. Atlanta, Denver, and the Chargers were their first three opponents, and all those teams sit at 3-2 or 2-2. Not exactly pushovers. Even Newton admitted, “They have some quality wins.” But now, with an offensive line that’s breaking down and a run game that’s gone quiet, Pittsburgh’s offense looks like a playbook that’s coming apart at the seams.

Still, with the Raiders looming in week 6, Mike Tomlin is sticking by his 25-year-old QB, Justin Fields. But guess what? He’s keeping Russell Wilson active, too. Wilson’s ready, but even he seems unsure what his role will be vs the Las Vegas team,. When asked about his availability, Wilson said, “For me, I’m preparing my mind to get ready to go and everything else. So that’s kind of my mentality.” 

Wilson’s calf injury has been a thorn in his side since July, flaring up again in early September. He’s had more time to heal now, though, and has made it clear that mobility is his top concern. “The biggest thing… is being able to run well,” the veteran QB said. Wilson’s ability to extend plays and escape pressure is what made him dangeruss in his prime, and even at 35, he’s not ready to give that up. But he’s got to be fully confident in that calf to protect himself out there.

Now, even with Fields getting the start against the Raiders, Wilson could still see the field. If Fields struggles or the offense stalls, Tomlin might pull the trigger and bring in Russ. Fields’ 2024 stats—67.6% completion, 961 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT, with a 97.1 passer rating—don’t scream MVP. So, the question for Steelers fans is: if Wilson’s ready, why not give him a shot? Sure, the fitness comes into play. But all things considered, how bad would it be to give a seasoned vet a full game?