The Pittsburgh Steelers on-the-horizon quarterback situation might prove to be a great illustration of the idea that "leverage is everything.''
Quarterbacks Russell Wilson is set to be a free agent in March, providing the opportunity to reset the room. But with the 21st pick and an underwhelming group of passers in free agency, a return makes some amount of uninspiring sense.
On “The Pat McAfee Show,” Wilson teased a potential contract extension with the Steelers and was adamant in his hopes to return after playing the 2024 season on a league-minimum deal.
"I think first of all, yes, we have been starting to talk a little bit, obviously, and we've had our meetings and everything else, and kind of just getting into it,” he said.
But shortly after that?
One year after his departure from the Seattle Seahawks, Pete Carroll is returning to the NFL to coach for Las Vegas. ... and to oversee a Raiders team that might need a quarterback.
Young Aidan O'Connell has shown some signs of growth. But if Las Vegas is motivated to sign a veteran quarterback?
NFL insider Ian Rapoport is suggesting that Wilson, the former quarterback for Carroll's Super Bowl Seahawks, might be a match in Sin City.
Wilson did experience a career rebirth of sorts in Pittsburgh after two tough years in Denver. This season, in 11 games, he threw for 2,482 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. ... and the Steelers quarterback led the team to a playoff berth.
But down the stretch, Wilson was in charge during the team’s five-game losing streak that ended the year.
Is Wilson viewed like quarterback Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, where his own rebirth has allowed him to jump from minimum wage (where Wilson was this year, essentially) to making $30 million per year?
The Steelers might not have thought of it that way before. They might have to now.
“I got so much more in me, man,” Wilson said - again, before the Carroll news. “I’m excited, obviously, my goal is to be with the Pittsburgh Steelers a long time and hopefully finish my career there.”
