Russell Wilson is officially not returning to Pittsburgh.
Wilson has agreed to a one-year, $10.5-million contract with the Giants, according to multiple reports. Wilson can earn as much as $21 million through incentives.
Despite the Steelers initially having a strong desire to re-sign Wilson as far back as August, the relationship between him and the team soured down the stretch, especially during the five-game losing streak to close out the season. And when I say "soured," I mean the Steelers did a complete 180. They really wanted to bring him back. Then, they vehemently decided not to explore a reunion.
Dejan Kovacevicreported back in early February that there were many in the organization that did not want Wilson to return. That became more and more evident week after week. When the Steelers struck out on Justin Fields on the first day of free agency's negotiating window, they didn't pivot to Wilson -- at all. Instead, they immediately pursued Aaron Rodgers, who is still mulling his options. If Wilson were Plan B or if the Steelers had any desire to reunite, he would have already been signed.
With the Giants adding a starting quarterback and the Vikings reportedly not interested, it appears the only remaining option for Rodgers is signing with the Steelers. The two sides met in person at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex last Friday, and the meeting reportedly went very well.
Of course, this depends on if Rodgers still wants to play football. He could decide to retire. If he does, that might mean we approaching an end to this "Rodgers Watch" sooner rather than later.
One bonus for the Steelers: Wilson signing with the Giants puts them in line for another projected compensatory pick in next year's draft. They're already projected for the maximum of four, but could now stand to have a better one with Wilson signing elsewhere. And, if the Steelers sign Rodgers, that won't factor into the formula since he was released from his contract with the Jets.
Currently, losing Wilson would bring a compensatory fifth-round pick. However, according to OverTheCap.com, the Steelers could wind up receiving two third-round compensatory picks if he and Justin Fields both hit on all snap counts and incentives. That's in addition to the projected third-round compensatory pick for losing Dan Moore Jr. to the Titans. That could be a total of four third-round picks next year.
So, root for Wilson and Fields to do very well.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
10:52 pm - 03.25.2025DowntownWilson heading to Giants
Russell Wilson is officially not returning to Pittsburgh.
Wilson has agreed to a one-year, $10.5-million contract with the Giants, according to multiple reports. Wilson can earn as much as $21 million through incentives.
Despite the Steelers initially having a strong desire to re-sign Wilson as far back as August, the relationship between him and the team soured down the stretch, especially during the five-game losing streak to close out the season. And when I say "soured," I mean the Steelers did a complete 180. They really wanted to bring him back. Then, they vehemently decided not to explore a reunion.
Dejan Kovacevic reported back in early February that there were many in the organization that did not want Wilson to return. That became more and more evident week after week. When the Steelers struck out on Justin Fields on the first day of free agency's negotiating window, they didn't pivot to Wilson -- at all. Instead, they immediately pursued Aaron Rodgers, who is still mulling his options. If Wilson were Plan B or if the Steelers had any desire to reunite, he would have already been signed.
With the Giants adding a starting quarterback and the Vikings reportedly not interested, it appears the only remaining option for Rodgers is signing with the Steelers. The two sides met in person at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex last Friday, and the meeting reportedly went very well.
Of course, this depends on if Rodgers still wants to play football. He could decide to retire. If he does, that might mean we approaching an end to this "Rodgers Watch" sooner rather than later.
One bonus for the Steelers: Wilson signing with the Giants puts them in line for another projected compensatory pick in next year's draft. They're already projected for the maximum of four, but could now stand to have a better one with Wilson signing elsewhere. And, if the Steelers sign Rodgers, that won't factor into the formula since he was released from his contract with the Jets.
Currently, losing Wilson would bring a compensatory fifth-round pick. However, according to OverTheCap.com, the Steelers could wind up receiving two third-round compensatory picks if he and Justin Fields both hit on all snap counts and incentives. That's in addition to the projected third-round compensatory pick for losing Dan Moore Jr. to the Titans. That could be a total of four third-round picks next year.
So, root for Wilson and Fields to do very well.
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Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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