Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been rumored to be considering signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and they reportedly have left their starting signal-caller from the 2024 season high and dry.

According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, a source "said the Steelers have not spoken with" veteran quarterback Russell Wilson about a new contract since the start of free agency.

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Tuesday that multiple sources said "it's possible" that Wilson could return to the Steelers if contract discussions with Rodgers "fail to result in a financial agreement." However, it appears that Pittsburgh isn't focused on forging ahead with Wilson under center.

After signing with the Steelers last offseason following his release from the Denver Broncos, Wilson made 11 starts in 2024 after missing the beginning of the year with a calf injury. The team was 6-5 in games he started, and he finished the regular season with 2,482 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions while adding two rushing scores. Pittsburgh went 10-7 overall and fell to the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card Round.

With the Steelers appearing to give Rodgers all of their attention, there aren't many landing spots remaining for Wilson. While Schwartz described the 36-year-old as "an option" for the New York Giants, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported on Tuesday, "I know the Tennessee Titans don’t have any interest." Breer also expressed doubt that the Cleveland Browns would be interested in bringing Wilson after trading for Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Kenny Pickett.

It's likely that Wilson will have to wait for more dominoes to fall this offseason, as it's apparent that Rodgers and other quarterbacks are ahead of him on multiple teams' wishlists in free agency.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were hoping to keep Justin Fields in free agency, but they were only willing to go so far to make it happen.

Per The Athletic's Mike DeFabo, the Steelers wanted Fields "at their price" rather than try to match any offers he received.

It turns out a team was willing to go above what the Steelers were because Fields agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal that includes $30 million guaranteed with the New York Jets in free agency on Monday.

Fields spent the 2024 season in Pittsburgh after being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears. He started the first six games of the regular season while Russell Wilson was out with a calf injury.

After the 2024 season ended, Steelers owner Art Rooney II said his "preference" was to bring back either Fields or Wilson. He did note that trying to bring both was unlikely given how much they are likely to make in free agency.

Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports did note Pittsburgh's offer to Fields included no guaranteed money after the first season.

Per Over the Cap, Fields' deal with the Jets contains $10 million guaranteed in 2026. The value of the deal suggests he will be their starter going in the 2025 campaign, though they could also look to add a quarterback early in the draft.

The Steelers are still in the process of figuring out their quarterback situation for next season after missing out on Fields. Wilson remains a free agent and could be an option.

Aaron Rodgers has been heavily linked to Pittsburgh with his release from the Jets likely to become official when the new league year begins on Wednesday.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported the Steelers and Rodgers could have an agreement in place as soon as Tuesday.

Despite posting a 4-2 record in his six starts, Fields was demoted after Wilson's calf healed. He threw for 1,106 yards, ran for 289 yards and accounted for 10 touchdowns in 10 appearances.

The Steelers finished 10-7 and made the playoffs as a wild card in the AFC. They lost 28-14 to the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' acquisition of star receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday reportedly could have significant ramifications for fellow wideout George Pickens.

The Athletic's Mike DeFabo reported that "by trading for Metcalf, the Steelers have gained leverage regarding the future of Pickens, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal."

Pickens has shown signs of dominance throughout his first three years in the NFL, but he's yet to reach his full potential. In 2024, he appeared in 14 games and produced 59 catches for 900 yards and three touchdowns. However, DeFabo explained that his volatile nature could work against him now that the Steelers have a "proven alternative" in Metcalf, who was signed to a five-year contract extension upon his acquisition.

"Pickens has engaged in more on- and off-field antics than one can list in a single story," DeFabo stated. "After defending the receiver repeatedly, coach Mike Tomlin finally acknowledged publicly that Pickens needed to 'grow up' after he was flagged twice during a Week 13 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. In the next game in which he was active, Pickens responded by showing up late to the Christmas Day matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs."

Despite his attitude issues, the Steelers publicly expressed interest in keeping Pickens in the fold beyond the 2025 campaign.

"I had a really solid exit meeting with GP," Steelers general manager Omar Khan said at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. “I can tell you that he has a desire to be great. He has a desire to be great here. We have a desire for him to be great — and to be great here."

After spending the first six years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, star receiver DK Metcalf is officially on the move.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, the Seahawks traded Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. ESPN's Adam Schefter added that the teams are "flipping picks in the sixth and seventh rounds." Metcalf requested to be traded from Seattle earlier this month, and it didn't take long for his wish to be granted.

The 2025 season was set to be the final year of Metcalf's contract, but Pelissero reported that he will be signing a new five-year, $150 million contract with Pittsburgh, marking the largest deal in franchise history with a new-money average of $33 million.

Metcalf appeared in 15 games in 2024 and recorded 66 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns. He missed two games after suffering an MCL injury in November, the first time in his six-year career that he's missed multiple games in a season.

A second-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Metcalf was a consistent source of production for the Seahawks. He's reached the 1,000-yard mark three times and has finished with at least 900 yards every year since entering the league. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 and 2023 and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020 after finishing with a career-high 1,303 yards.

In addition to his physically imposing 6'4" stature, Metcalf has also been known for not holding back his emotions. He's been one of the most penalized receivers in the NFL since 2019, though he doesn't have much desire to change the way he plays.

Perhaps a change in scenery will breathe new life into Metcalf, as he will now be playing for a Steelers team that went 10-7 in 2024 and fell to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card Round. Quarterback Russell Wilson, who spent time with Metcalf on the Seahawks, was Pittsburgh's starter last season before becoming a free agent, and he currently remains unsigned.

Metcalf should immediately become the top target for whoever's under center for the Steelers as they chase another trip to the playoffs during the upcoming season.

It doesn't seem like Najee Harris will be returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025.

Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live reported Tuesday that the running back "will likely earn between $8-10 million on the open market, a number the Steelers are unwilling to match."

Farabaugh noted the Alabama product is expected to have "several suitors," which could drive up his price beyond what Pittsburgh is willing to offer.

His time with the AFC North team seemed limited even before the 2024 season when the Steelers declined the fifth-year option on his contract. He is now slated for free agency as a result.

It seemed like Harris would be the running back in Pittsburgh for years when he burst onto the scene with 1,200 rushing yards, 467 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2021. He made the Pro Bowl for those efforts and looked to be a star in the making.

While he still surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in each of his next three seasons, he was unable to reach the same level of production as when he was a rookie.

There are also some fair concerns about his overall efficiency, as he has averaged just 3.9 yards per carry in his career. By comparison, Jaylen Warren has averaged 4.8 yards per carry in his first three seasons.

Warren is also fresher with 346 career carries compared to Harris' 1,097 and seems to be in line to be the Steelers' No. 1 running back for the 2025 campaign.

As for Harris, he will be one of the headline names on the free agency market this offseason.

Justin Fields "has an edge over Russell Wilson" as the Pittsburgh Steelers evaluate their quarterback options this offseason, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"There is sentiment for Fields in the building, and both sides would be open to a return," Fowler reported Sunday. "The Steelers have at least another week to crystallize those plans, and they certainly haven't ruled out Wilson at this point."

Neither Fields nor Wilson is an optimal solution for Pittsburgh.

The team went 4-2 with Fields as the starter, but he wasn't exactly prolific during that run. He threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. The 25-year-old did make an added impact with his legs, though, with 231 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.

Wilson, meanwhile, faded as the season came to an end. He averaged 171.2 passing yards per game over the final five weeks, and his slide dovetailed with the Steelers' four-game losing streak before suffering a 28-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card Round.

All things considered, Fields is probably the better bet for the Steelers in 2025. He's 11 years younger than Wilson and it's abundantly clear now that Russ is no longer a difference-maker under center. Fields at least still possesses some theoretical upside. Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield were 27 and 28 respectively when things finally clicked for them.

Pittsburgh might also need to be more aggressive with Fields because he could have a stronger market than Wilson. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in February the 2021 first-round pick will have multiple teams courting him. Fowler on Sunday cited the New York Jets as one such possibility.

Assuming one of Fields or Wilson sticks around in the Steel City, the more interesting storyline is whether head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan hedge their bets and use a draft pick on a quarterback to take over in 2026 or beyond.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin's longevity can be attributed to the continued respect he's earned from his players.

In a survey conducted by the NFL Players Association, Steelers players had "high praise" for Tomlin and gave an A grade for his overall treatment of them throughout the 2024 campaign.

"Players credit him for developing a strong team culture," the NFLPA stated. "It is no surprise that Tomlin once again received an A grade as head coach."

It was noted that 95 percent of Pittsburgh players believe Tomlin is efficient with their time, and they voted him as "moderately receptive" to locker room feedback on the team’s needs.

Tomlin guided the Steelers to a 10-7 record during the 2024 season before falling to the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card Round.

The disappointing loss caused some speculation that his run in Pittsburgh would come to an end soon, but it was later reported that he wouldn't be fired or traded this offseason, allowing him to retain his status as the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL.

The Steelers have never experienced a losing season under Tomlin since he took over as head coach in 2007. Though the team has struggled to achieve playoff success in recent years, Pittsburgh is clearly better off with Tomlin leading the way and building his culture.

Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields have both expressed a willingness to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to general manager Omar Khan.

Khan told reporters Tuesday the team is speaking to representatives for the two signal-callers ahead of free agency:

The GM indicated there will be more moves beyond signing a quarterback to help the offense. He cited a need for "more playmakers."

And while he said that "all options are on the table," Khan tried to throw some cold water on the rumors linking Pittsburgh with Los Angeles Rams star Matthew Stafford:

Wilson, for his part, said in January he was hopeful of suiting up with the Steelers in 2025. He reiterated that stance earlier this month when the Associated Press' Mark Long asked him about the idea of reuniting with head coach Pete Carroll on the Las Vegas Raiders.

Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Feb. 9, however, that Pittsburgh was "still undecided" about whether it would prioritize Wilson or Fields.

"It's possible another veteran QB becomes available that would entice the Steelers from moving on from both players," the report said. "Otherwise, Pittsburgh is likely to have Wilson or Fields back on a short-term deal while also continuing to seek a long-term answer, potentially through the draft."

At the end of the day, neither Wilson nor Fields is an optimal solution.

Wilson had a pronounced slide toward the end of the regular season. He threw for 856 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions with an 84.7 passer rating in Pittsburgh's final five games.

Fields, meanwhile, guided the Steelers to a 4-2 record as the starter but had likewise lackluster numbers (1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception) during that stretch. There's a reason head coach Mike Tomlin turned to Wilson midseason.

But with a paucity of great alternatives in free agency or the trade market, re-signing one of Wilson or Fields would be a serviceable stopgap before the front office returns to the question next winter.

The Pittsburgh Steelers released veteran pass-rusher Preston Smith on Friday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Smith played eight games with the Steelers during the 2024 season after he was acquired in a Nov. 5 trade with the Green Bay Packers.

Pittsburgh gained $12 million in 2025 cap space by parting ways with the 32-year-old, via Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Smith racked up 13 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and one fumble recovery with the Steelers.

The writing was on the wall for Smith prior to his release, as he was a healthy scratch in a Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs as well as Pittsburgh's 28-14 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

He was on the field for just 30 percent of the Steelers' defensive snaps after the trade compared to 54 percent of the Packers' defensive snaps prior to the change of scenery, via Pro Football Reference.

Sportskeeda's Tony Pauline also reported that Smith was "expected to be cut" by Pittsburgh on Jan. 29.

The former second-round pick served as a consistent presence in opposing backfields to begin his career with Green Bay and Washington. Smith recorded at least eight sacks in six of his first nine years in the league, including every season from 2021-23.

Despite his underwhelming 2024 campaign with the Packers and Steelers, Smith should still have several interested suitors in free agency.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh will likely use the cap flexibility gained by releasing Smith to target alternate complementary options alongside T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward on its defensive line.

Amid speculation that the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a potential landing spot for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers following his impending departure from the New York Jets, at least one player isn't interested in his services.

Steelers safety DeShon Elliott commented on an Instagram post and made it clear that he doesn't want Rodgers as Pittsburgh's new quarterback in 2025, writing, "Leave his ass at the retirement home."

The Steelers are facing uncertainty at the quarterback position, as Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both set to test free agency this offseason. Still, Elliott appears steadfast in his belief that Rodgers is not the answer.

Elliott got an up-close look at Rodgers this past season when New York visited Pittsburgh in Week 7. The 40-year-old threw for 276 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions as the Jets suffered a demoralizing 37-15 loss in front of a national audience on Sunday Night Football.

Perhaps Elliott is correct in his belief that Rodgers isn't the right choice for Pittsburgh's next quarterback, but the team will have to figure out its best option as it prepares for another potential playoff run in 2025.