Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach and Hall of Famer Bill Cowher weighed in on the Steelers mysterious quarterback situation during an interview on the Dan Patrick Show . Earlier this offseason, Cowher was on board with the Steelers signing Aaron Rodgers , but he's now pivot to the team bringing back Russell Wilson .
"I personally think that Russell Wilson is your best choice," Cowher said. "It's gonna be a better offensive line room. With (Troy) Fautanu coming back and moving Broderick (Jones) to left tackle. I'm think you're looking at the best receiving core you're gonna have in a long time."
In 2024, the 41-year-old Rodgers played in 16 games, completing 368 of 584 passes (63.0%) for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 90.5 passer rating.
For comparison, the 36-year-old Russell Wilson played 11 games, completing 214 of 316 passes (63.7%) for 2,482, 16 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 95.6 passer rating.
Wilson struggled immensely during the Steelers' late-season collapse, however. The Steelers failed to score more than 17 points during the five-game losing streak to end the season, a streak that hasn't occurred since Chuck Noll's first season in 1969. There was also reports that Wilson and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith butt heads over changing plays at the line of scrimmage.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson at practice for the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 1, 2025. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now
If the Steelers miss out on Rodgers, some of their fallback options include — re-signing Russell Wilson or signing a veteran like Joe Flacco or Jameis Winston . Wilson visited with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants last week, but it appears he's waiting on Rodgers' decision before making a move. Returning to Pittsburgh and reuniting with DK Metcalf would be the best course of action for Wilson.
It seems like Rodgers' looming decision is still very much in the air. And who knows when that decision will be made. Only Rodgers does. There's been reports that it could drag out until the NFL Draft in late April.
Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward is tired of waiting around for Rodgers . The contact period for free agency started over a week ago, and the Steelers still don't have an answer at quarterback. Heyward put out a blunt message to the four-time league MVP on the latest episode of his Not Just Football podcast.
"I ain't doing that darkness retreat. I don't need any of that crap," Heyward said. "Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don't. That's simple, that's the pitch. If you want me to recruit, that's the recruiting pitch. Pittsburgh Steelers — if you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don't, no skin off my back."
Heyward just wants to move forward and focus on the rest of the 2025 offseason. He's tired of hearing about the endless chatter of the Steelers' quarterback situation.
"I just want to play football. I'm tired of talking about the quarterback situation. I'd rather have it done," Heyward said. "I don't know what ends up happening. I'm ready to move on in free agency."
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