After a short-lived tenure with Justin Fields, the Pittsburgh Steelers are once again evaluating their quarterback options for 2025. The New York Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal after just one season in Pittsburgh. Now, with Fields reuniting with former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson, the Steelers have turned their attention to ex-Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
While no deal is in place, could Pittsburgh pivot to a familiar face if negotiations stall?
Could Pittsburgh’s Offense Run on 2 Former Seahawks?
With a talented veteran remaining a free agent, can he return to Pittsburgh?
Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac said on X that if talks with Rodgers continue to stall, Russell Wilson returning to the Steelers seems likely. If Wilson were to return to the team he led to the playoffs last season, he would also get one of his old buddies back.
It’s possible Russell Wilson could return to the Steelers if ongoing discussions with Aaron Rodgers fail to result in a financial agreement, per multiple sources.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 11, 2025
The former Seattle Seahawks partnership of Wilson and DK Metcalf has been separated since Wilson left for Denver in 2022. Now, with Metcalf recently being acquired and signed for five years at $30 million per season, he and Wilson may fancy a reunion.
Is Pittsburgh Better Suited With Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson?
Pittsburgh may know what they will get by bringing Wilson back, but Rodgers comes as a question mark. Both quarterbacks played behind shaky offensive lines last season, limiting their effectiveness. Wilson built chemistry with some Steelers receivers, but George Pickens remained the focal point of the offense. Now, with an elite receiving duo, Pittsburgh could offer an ideal situation for a veteran QB.
In PFSN’s 2024 QB+ rankings, Wilson finished in 17th while Rodgers plummeted to 21st. Wilson’s 75.3 (C+) rating helped will an average Steelers offense to a playoff appearance. PFSN’s Ben Rolfe touched on Wilson’s debut season in the City of Bridges.
“Wilson finished with a 0.10 EPA/DB, 8.7 nYPA, and a 40% third-down conversion rate, all of which are good without being good enough. While he didn’t cost the Steelers the game, he didn’t really do anything to win it for them, either,” Rolfe said.
READ MORE: NFL Free Agency Grades 2025
Rodgers on the other hand recorded a 72.2 (C-) grade with arguably better weapons on offense than Wilson. Rolfe elaborated on why Rodgers’ season led him to a 21st place ranking.
“On the season, Rodgers has a -0.02 EPA/DB (27th), ranks 36th from a clean pocket (0.07 EPA/DB), and has converted just 33.5% of the time on third down (29th). His 6.2 nYPA ranks 30th and is very low, considering he’s getting 5.8 YAC/Cp, which ranks ninth this season,” he said.
Surprisingly, despite Wilson finishing higher than Rodgers in terms of QB+, Rodgers ranked higher on PFSN’s Top 121 NFL Free Agents, where he placed 52nd. Wilson, meanwhile, placed 70th.
The one thing Rodgers and Wilson do have in common is their age. Rodgers (41) and Wilson (36) would likely be temporary solutions for Pittsburgh’s ongoing quarterback dilemma.
Whether or not Pittsburgh decides to draft a QB in the 2025 NFL Draft in April in Green Bay, Wisc., keep an eye on Rodgers and Wilson as two of the leading candidates for the black and gold as a multitude of other free agent QBs have already found their landing spots.