While the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait on Aaron Rodgers to make a decision, their backup plan in the case he does not sign with them remains unknown. Rodgers left the Steelers' facility on Friday without a contract, but the perceived backup plan for the Steelers has been their 2024 quarterback, Russell Wilson.
However, Wilson and the Steelers have not been in contact in quite some time, and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network believes the door is closing on a return for Wilson.
“Nothing shocks me, but I would be very surprised if Russell Wilson under any circumstances is back in Pittsburgh,” Pelissero said on The Rich Eisen Show. “They’re now making it clear that they would like to sign Aaron Rodgers over Russell Wilson. He is no better and maybe even lower than their third choice.”
Pelissero is not the first one to say this. Sources told PennLive at the NFL Combine that Wilson’s end of the season struggles paired with a report that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith took away his freedom at the line of scrimmage ruffled feathers in the building.
It would take a mending of relationships for Wilson to return to the Steelers. Even if Rodgers chooses to go elsewhere, it is not a certainty the team would pivot back to Wilson. Meanwhile, Wilson has other options, such as the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. He has visited both teams and is ready to sign at anytime once offered a contract.
The Giants are still waiting on Rodgers, and have courted other veterans such as Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston. On the other hand, Wilson has expressed his desire to go back to the Steelers since the season ended.
If the Steelers did pivot back to Wilson, it does seem Wilson would be willing to try and build those bridges back up. However, the Steelers do not appear to be at that point yet, and with other interested teams lurking around Wilson, it seems likely he will end up in another uniform.
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