Steelers could reportedly find themselves in a bidding war if they want Russell Wilson back
Russell Wilson and Mike Tomlin deserve a big apology. With many questioning Coach Tomlin's decision to even acquire Russell Wilson due to many believing he was "washed," the two of them are prime reasons for the team's third overall seeding in the conference and AFC North lead. But that could make Wilson a prime free-agent […]
Russell Wilson and Mike Tomlin deserve a big apology.
With many questioning Coach Tomlin's decision to even acquire Russell Wilson due to many believing he was "washed," the two of them are prime reasons for the team's third overall seeding in the conference and AFC North lead.
But that could make Wilson a prime free-agent candidate come March, and leave the Steelers deciding whether or not they want to pay to play:
Russell Wilson Could Have Serious Free Agent Market
Wilson turned 36 years old last week, and his two years in Denver before this season in Pittsburgh were downright abysmal. He's not getting the Dak Prescott four-year, $240 million deal. But could he get the Baker Mayfield three-year, $100 million deal? If he and the Steelers keep winning, that doesn't seem impossible. There's a legitimate question to be asked about whether he'd get that contract from the Steelers, who also like the idea of developing Fields and might not be able to re-sign both if those QBs get interest from other teams.
But given the number of teams that are going to be looking for quarterbacks, and given that it doesn't shape up as a deep or particularly inspiring QB draft, it's not hard to imagine some team deciding Wilson has turned a corner and could be the key to getting them to the playoffs.
– Dan Graziano, ESPN
Wilson is fresh off a game where he threw for over 400 yards for only the third time in his career and the first since his days with the Seattle Seahawks. He led an offense on Sunday that hadn't scored over 40 points or allocated 500 yards of total offense since Big Ben did in 2018, and he commands a unit ranked in the top 10 of all offenses in the league.
So sure, Wilson did just turn 36, he's in a contract year, and of course, he's coming off a poor stint with the Denver Broncos. But it's not as if he has a lot to work with in Pittsburgh, yet he and OC Arthur Smith are having career years.
And as Graziano said, the lack of free agents and high-level QBs in this year's draft will leave teams fawning over Wilson and what could be, given his most recent play and Hall of Fame resume from Seattle.
So will Pittsburgh be willing to match any big offers? Are they confident in Justin Fields as their future? Or does Wilson stay and take a discount given his liking of the culture and city?
All of these questions should be answered in just a few months.
