Quarterback Russell Wilson reportedly has a “disconnect” with his offensive coordinator as talks on a contract extension begin between the eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It’s an interesting time for one of the most storied franchises in football following an epic collapse that saw the Steelers lose five straight games to close out the 2024 NFL season. The death knell was sounded in the AFC Wild Card round, thanks to a 28-14 loss to the rival Baltimore Ravens.
After the loss, rumors quickly began circulating about Mike Tomlin’s future as the head coach, as well as what the Steelers were going to do at the quarterback position. Wilson and Justin Fields are impending free agents, although reports suggest the team may actually make a run at keeping both quarterbacks.
Arthur Smith vs. Russell Wilson
Wilson is no stranger to controversy, and the latest rumblings out of the Steel City paint a picture of an aging quarterback at odds with at least one of his coaches. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirmed a report that Wilson and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith aren’t seeing eye to eye on everything.
Gerry Dulac confirms there is a disconnect between Russell Wilson and Arthur Smith: “Offensively, there is a disconnect between Wilson and coordinator Arthur Smith about the way the passing game should operate.” #Steelers #NFL
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) January 24, 2025
Dulac said, “Offensively, there is a disconnect between Wilson and coordinator Arthur Smith about the way the passing game should operate.”
The timing of the report couldn’t be worse since contract talks between Wilson and the Steelers appear to be underway.
Contract Talks Heating Up in Pittsburgh
Wilson called it an “exciting time to be a Pittsburgh Steeler” while discussing his ongoing contract talks with the franchise. The two sides are only in the early stages of negotiations, but the quarterback seemed to indicate that he wanted to return for another year.
“Yes, we have been starting to talk a little bit,” Wilson told Pat McAfee on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“We’ve had our meetings and everything else, just getting into it. So I think that it’s an exciting time to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and the opportunity of what we can do.”
Though Wilson has stated that he wants to return to the Steelers, that is far from certain. Yet, his options to start elsewhere are relatively slim.
There may be roles open in Tennessee, Las Vegas, and both New York teams as a veteran bridge option to a younger quarterback.
Steelers Experience Rollercoaster Production From Wilson
While his first games with the Steelers gave fans hope, Wilson struggled to consistently command the offense down the line, prompting calls for Fields to return as the starting QB.
Tomlin stuck with Wilson, though, and the veteran appeared rejuvenated in Weeks 7-14, producing 1,784 yards and 12 touchdowns (three interceptions) with a 64.2% completion average. But when faced with three playoff teams and the resurgent Cincinnati Bengals to close out the season, Wilson fell off a cliff — and the offense right along with it.
According to PFN’s QB+ metric, Wilson struggled to close out games in the fourth quarter (28th) and had a 38.8% conversion rate on third down (17th).
“This year was an exciting year in a lot of ways,” Wilson said. “It was tough at the end. We didn’t get it done, but I’ve got so much more in me, man.”
NFL fans must patiently wait to find out whether that “so much more” will be in Pittsburgh or elsewhere.
