The Steelers kicked off the 2025 offseason in a pretty messy way, and it’s not just about a quarterback debate. It’s about how one of football’s well-known passers ended up getting short-changed. The team was tossing around names like it was a casual conversation, leaving Russell Wilson in a weird spot. The veteran QB went from being seen as a potential starter to nothing more than a backup plan for them.

All this was even though Wilson wanted to continue his time with the Steelers. Unfortunately, there was already discord between the QB and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith by the end of 2024 and now it looks like the team just strung him along. As the 36-year-old began taking hold of the situation, he visited the Browns and the Giants to see if something would work out. However, no deal materialized, and the QB started the search all over again.

Now, team insider Mike DeFabo has come forward to throw some light on the situation and let us tell you, his update was quite concerning. What did he say? Well, in a conversation with ‘The BetMGM Network’ on YouTube, DeFabo backtracked to how general manager Omar Khan stated during the combine that the team would look to retain either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson (but not both). However, Fields moved on to the Jets and the Steelers still don’t seem sure about the veteran. Pointing this out, DeFabo stated:

“As it turned out, publicly, they framed this as a Justin versus Russ decision, but it’s pretty clear that they were really just using Russell Wilson as a backup plan and as leverage. And it wouldn’t have been that big of a deal if Aaron Rodgers made his decision one way or the other on the first Wednesday of free agency. Then you just kind of pivot to Russ. But by letting this drag out, Russ who is probably plan B at this point down the road, maybe you know their fourth option overall, he can’t be too happy about the way that things have gone.”

Behind closed doors, Pittsburgh was busy chasing after other names—Matthew Stafford, Sam Darnold, and even Aaron Rodgers were all in the mix. No wonder DeFabo joked, “Now you’re going, if you’re Russell Wilson, ‘Wait a minute, you didn’t get Justin, then you explored Sam Darnold, you thought about Matt Stafford and maybe offered him a contract, now you’re talking to Aaron Rodgers. How far down the list do I fall?’ So Russell Wilson may not be in a position to dictate things because it sure seems like the market isn’t very strong for him right now.”

Now, things are looking like Wilson might be headed somewhere new—most likely to the New York Giants. As per multiple sources, the QB still has a chance with the team as the Giants have him on their radar. This is despite them signing Jameis Winston.

While the whole saga with the Steelers left everyone scratching their heads, Wilson’s future is up in the air, and it looks like he might just be ready for a fresh start somewhere new.

Top Comment by Tim

Long career? He is 36. A couple more years is more than what many QBs would get. 4 would be...more

Share your take

Debate

Legacy in pinstripes, destiny on the gridiron: Wilson might join the $7.3B NFL team!

Back in February 2018, an unexpected trade moved Russell Wilson from MLB’s Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees. And he wasn’t bummed about it at all. In fact, it was kind of a dream come true. His late dad, Harrison Wilson III, was a lifelong Yankees fan. This trade felt like a nod to a promise that had been brewing since childhood.

Growing up in Virginia, Wilson’s mornings were anything but ordinary. He would be up at 5:30 a.m. with his brother and dad, hitting the pitcher’s mound and dreaming big. Those early hours were more than just practice—they were a way to keep his dad’s dream alive. Even then, he was determined to one day wear the pinstripes and make his dad proud.

Fast forward to more recent years, and the family ties only got stronger. After all, his stepson, Future, who was a ball boy for the Steelers recently rocked the Yankees’ midnight navy blue uniform and it felt like the dream was being handed down to the next generation. However, fans wondered if it was an indication of Wilson’s own future. Was the QB too moving to a New York team in the NFL? Perhaps it could be the $7.3B NFL team—the Giants.

Now, with the NFL in a bit of a shuffle and whispers about the Giants and Aaron Rodgers floating around, Wilson’s future is looking more uncertain. And more exciting—than ever. It seems like he’s ready to mix things up, chasing a new chapter that ties together his love for the game with the legacy his family has always believed in. What do you think?