In early December Russell Wilson‘s career appeared to be back on track. The Steelers were 10-3 and Wilson was looking unstoppable. In Week 12, Wilson threw for a season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns to outclass the Bengals. The former Broncos outcast was making a strong case for a multi-year extension and when they followed it up with a win over the Browns, Wilson was the flavor of the month as murmurs of a Super Bowl run started. However, that bubble was quickly burst as a horrid run of four defeats followed and Mr. Unlimited began to show signs of his limitations.

Now as the NFL free agency looms, Wilson and the Steelers seemed destined for different paths. On February 19, ESPN’s NFL reporter Kimberly Martin stated that she “would be very shocked” if Wilson is back with the Steelers in 2025. On the other hand, Mike Tomlin and Steelers President Art Rooney II’s backing of Wilson is well-known and it remains to be seen where he ends up having stated his desire to return. But as Wilson, who signed a one-year $1.2 million contract with the Steelers in March 2024, faces an uncertain future, he is gearing up for free agency, hinting at a return to the league at 36.

On February 21, Wilson shared a great update with his fans in an Instagram story. Declaring that he is set for his 14th year in the NFL, he was seen practicing in drills. Looking sharp and healthy, the QB captioned the post, “Year 14. Thank God everyday!” He made accurate passes while running side to side or in a 180 rotation. But he was not alone.

Russell Wilson was doing the passing practice under Jake Heaps, the quarterback consultant and the head coach of Legend Titans Football. He kept a sharp eye on how the signal caller moved in the drill. And the veteran easily impressed him, forcing him to write, “That ball is SPINNIN!”

The NFL teams who could be eyeing the veteran QB will be impressed with what they see in the video and know the experience he would bring to the fold. While the season ended in frustration for him and the Steelers, he still completed a decent 214-of-336 passes for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 95.6 passer rating. It is unlikely that any team would see him as a playoff-driving QB, but he could prove to be an excellent mentor for a young starter. But which teams could go for Wilson if the Steelers decide to move on?

The Raiders may sound appealing to Wilson with his former coach Pete Carroll in charge in Las Vegas. Carroll and Wilson worked together from 2012-2021 in Seattle and won a Super Bowl as well. Then there are the New York Giants, who need a QB presence after parting ways with Daniel Jones.

The Giants own the No. 3 pick in April’s NFL Draft and may look to opt for someone like Cam Ward, but having Wilson helps them to see to a smooth transition. Notably, Wilson met with the Giants last season as Daniel Jones was recovering from a torn ACL.

Similarly, the Tennessee Titans could turn to Wilson after a disappointing experience with Will Levis. Wilson could provide a short-term option for them while they look to build up a rookie QB. But the Steelers are not out of the picture completely.

Right now the QB remains keen on a return to Pittsburgh. Last month, talking after the Wild Card round defeat Wilson addressed his future saying, “Obviously, I love it here and everything else. I think we have a great football team. Obviously it didn’t end the way we wanted it to. And I think there’s a lot more to do.”

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While Tomlin has refused to outright confirm whether the team is keen to retain Wilson or Fields, the consensus seems he might tempted to show his loyalty to Wilson.

On Thursday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN stated that Tomlin’s commitment to Wilson might be put to the test. “Russell Wilson has made the Steelers a priority. He loved it there. He would like to be the quarterback there. Certainly, Mike Tomlin feels a commitment or a loyalty to Wilson that could show over time here in the next couple of weeks,” Fowler said on SportsCenter.

Last year after Wilson suffered a calf injury, Tomlin started the season with Justin Fields at QB. The former Bears man led Pittsburgh to a 4-2 record before making way for a fit-again Wilson. The Steelers won six of Wilson’s first seven starts and at one point were occupying the top spot in the AFC North. But Wilson’s form dipped and the Steelers’ season ended with a five-game losing run culminating in a Wild Card defeat to the Ravens.

Another thing to consider for any team looking to sign Wilson is the terms of his new contract.

He made $39 million in total in 2024, most of which ($37.79 million) came from the Broncos as part of the five-year contract extension he signed with Denver in 2022. According to Spotrac, Wilson is in line to sign a two-year $77 million deal, wherever he ends up. It remains to be seen if any team is ready to take that plunge on Wilson.

Meanwhile, Tomlin has been known to back Wilson in Pittsburgh and a return would not be a surprise. NFL reporter Adam Caplan also made a startling revelation on how the HC overruled some coaches who were looking to bench him in favor of Fields.

Mike Tomlin overruled OC’s decision on Russell Wilson

On the February 21 episode of Ferrall Coast to Coast show, Caplan mentioned that some coaches wanted Wilson benched towards the end of the season but Tomlin was not having it. “I know there’s some people in the Steelers (organization) who would like to see him back. I think there’s some coaches who were hoping to bench him last season but (got) overruled, as I understand it,” he said.

While Caplan didn’t offer specifics, it is known that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith wanted Fields back on the field in place of Wilson. Hence, there is some debate whether a Steelers return would even make sense for Wilson.

Compared to Russell Wilson, Fields is 11 years younger. So, that gives more oil to burn under the tank. However, the free agency will open almost 20 days later, on March 12. Will they make a decision before that or wait till the end? The suspense is on.