Quarterback Russell Wilson reportedly fell out of favor with some members of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coaching staff, such as offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, during the 2024 season.
Nevertheless, the perception existed throughout the winter months that head coach Mike Tomlin would’ve welcomed Wilson back to the Steelers this spring.
During Monday’s edition of FS1’s “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” program, Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz indicated that Tomlin was no longer in Wilson’s camp, even before the Steelers spent more than six hours visiting with free-agent signal-caller Aaron Rodgers ahead of this past weekend.
“As it’s been made clear to me, he does not have the same type of relationship he had with Mike Tomlin going back a year ago,” Schultz said about Wilson, as shared by Joe Clark of Steelers Depot.
Tomlin controversially benched 2024 Week 1 starter Justin Fields to play Wilson after the 36-year-old missed the opening six weeks of the season because of a lingering calf problem, and that looked like a brilliant move when Wilson helped Pittsburgh go from 4-2 to 10-3.
However, Wilson passed for just 698 total yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions over what became a four-game losing streak. The Steelers then suffered a 28-14 loss to the rival Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round of the playoffs with Wilson in the lineup.
As of Tuesday morning, there was no guarantee Rodgers would pick the Steelers over either the New York Giants or the Minnesota Vikings. Numerous stories have hinted that the Vikings are his preferred choice, but they may soon name 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy their 2025 Week 1 QB1, even though he spent his rookie season recovering from a full meniscus repair.
The Giants and Cleveland Browns are two clubs looking for bridge quarterbacks that could sign Wilson whenever Rodgers goes off the market. Some previously speculated that Wilson and the Steelers could agree to a short-term reunion if Rodgers signed elsewhere, but Schultz’s update suggests that even Tomlin wants to go in a different direction after Wilson left much to be desired with his play over his final five appearances with Pittsburgh.
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