The Pittsburgh Steelers have a few key players set to hit free agency this offseason, including quarterback Russell Wilson. The veteran started the final 11 regular season games for the Steelers in 2024 and posted a 6-5 record with 16 touchdown passes to five interceptions with a 63% completion rate.
Wilson led Pittsburgh to the postseason this year, but the team lost four straight contests to end the regular season and was completely embarrassed by the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round, leaving the eight-time Pro Bowler’s future with the Steelers in doubt.
Though Pittsburgh could end up re-signing Wilson, and the 36-year-old has expressed interest in returning to the team in 2025, TWSN’s Alex Frank predicts the Super Bowl XLVIII champion will sign with the Cleveland Browns in free agency.
“Cleveland needs a quarterback,” Frank wrote. “Particularly, though, they need a quarterback that can be an adult in the room. A leader. No drama. A proven winner. That’s who Russell Wilson is.”
“Say what you want about Wilson and his play the last three seasons. Pair him with Kevin Stefanski, and I believe he has one good season left in him,” Frank added.
Cleveland could be without Deshaun Watson for the entire 2025 season due to an Achilles injury, and Jameis Winston is also set to hit free agency in March. The franchise does hold the No.2 overall pick in April’s draft and could select a quarterback with the selection.
Wilson is no longer an elite signal-caller, but the 2012 third-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks would be the perfect veteran bridge for the Browns, even if the team decides to use their first-round pick on a quarterback.
The 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year has shown that he can still play winning football in a tough division and is an efficient player who doesn’t make many mistakes.
Pro Football Focus projects Wilson will land a two-year deal worth $70 million on the open market, while Spotrac believes that number could be $77 million over two seasons.
Wilson to Cleveland would be an intriguing move, but if the Browns want to acquire the Super Bowl-winning quarterback, the franchise must figure out their cap situation first. Cleveland is estimated to have negative $30 million in cap space this offseason, per Over the Cap, but they could restructure some contracts and make other moves to create additional money.
If the Browns can fix their abysmal cap status, the team should consider signing Russell Wilson to a short deal in free agency. The veteran could catapult Cleveland back into playoff contention and serve as a potential mentor if the Browns select a signal-caller with the No.2 overall pick in the draft.
Losing Wilson in free agency wouldn’t be the end of the world for the Steelers, but it does mean the team will have a new starting signal-caller in 2025. Re-signing Justin Fields, acquiring a veteran, or spending an early draft pick on a quarterback are possible scenarios for Pittsburgh to address the position if Wilson departs this offseason.
MORE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEWS
Steelers predicted to sign $100 million 5-time Pro Bowl playmaker
Steelers predicted to sign former $128 million Super Bowl champion QB as insurance
Steelers free agent pitch adds potential $35 million former All-Pro to defense
