Throughout the playoffs, Sam Wallace, Mark Drumheller, and Jonathan Fuller will be highlighting the biggest NFL free agents heading into the 2025 offseason. We'll be breaking down the best and worst landing spots as well as projecting where key players will eventually sign.

Today's subject? 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson.

The Best Landing Spots For Russell Wilson in 2025 NFL Free Agency

Could Russell Wilson Become A Brown?

At this stage of Russell Wilson's career, there aren't any landing spots where I would be legitimately excited to see him sign, but there are a few where he would be an upgrade on their current QB situation. Las Vegas, New York, Tennessee, and New Orleans all fall into that category but I don't like the fit on or off the field for any of those teams.

Staying in Pittsburgh is probably the right answer for maximizing his fantasy value, but if they get bounced in the Wild Card round, I wouldn't be surprised to see them go in a different direction in 2025 after finishing the season with five straight losses. Mark and Sam will thoroughly cover the case for running it back so I'm going to pivot to a more fun answer.

My dark horse contender for the best landing spot is the Cleveland Browns, a team that is apparently in line for some much-needed cap relief if Deshaun Watson is unable to play in 2025.

If the Browns don't love any of the QB prospects or decide to trade down from the second pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, they could talk themselves into thinking they can be competitive with Russ. With a talented defense and run-first offense, they could try to recreate what we saw from the Steelers at times this season. While that wouldn't be an ideal scenario for David Njoku or Jerry Jeudy, it wouldn't totally crater their fantasy value either.

- Jonathan Fuller

Are The Steelers The Best Fit For Russell Wilson?

Unless Patrick Mahomes abruptly retires from boredom after winning his third-straight Super Bowl, there isn’t going to be a better option than Pittsburgh available to Wilson. Despite their recent struggles, the Steelers offense and personnel appear to mess well with former Super Bowl champions’ skillset. 

George Pickens gives Wilson a vertical threat to complement his deep-ball accuracy, making the Wilson-Pickens connection a critical piece to a Pittsburgh offense that has lacked explosiveness in the past. The two are coming off their worst performance of the year (where Pickens logged 0 yards), but I have confidence Tomlin can push the right buttons in the offseason.

Look at some of the options in the open market—Las Vegas, Tennessee, New York, New Orleans, or possibly Cleveland or Indianapolis. It’s tough to see Wilson having more on-field success or fantasy relevance away from the Steel City.  

Add on the possibility that Arthur Smith moves on, and Russ could really turn the clocks back in 2025. The stability of the Steelers organization along with having a playmaker like Pickens makes Pittsburgh the perfect spot for Wilson.

- Mark Drumheller

The conversation surrounding Wilson is going to be very similar to the conversation surrounding Sam Darnold.

Sometimes, the grass just isn't greener somewhere else. I mentioned in a previous article that everything in life is about fit and there are just too many things that make sense between Wilson and the Steelers organization.

For yet another season, Pittsburgh finished with a winning record despite a brutal end to the season. To be fair, we all had this stretch of games circled on the calendar ever since the schedules were released.

In just 11 games, Wilson averaged over 225 passing yards per game and finished with 16 TDs to just five INTs. Assuming the Steelers add a pass-catcher (or two) this offseason to compliment George Pickens, there's no reason Wilson can't efficiently lead this team back to the playoffs next season. A strong rushing attack and an elite defense can do wonders when helmed by a veteran, capable QB.

While it would take a monumental effort on behalf of Wilson & Co. to topple Lamar Jackson and the Ravens this weekend, there is no reason for the team not to find a way to sign Wilson to a deal that keeps him around for the next few years.

- Sam Wallace

The Worst Landing Spots For Russell Wilson in 2025 NFL Free Agency

Move Along, Raiders Fans …

I have a feeling the Las Vegas Raiders would be a disaster with Russ at QB. Their 2025 outlook will partially depend on the coaching staff they bring in after firing Antonio Pierce, but this is likely to remain one of the least talented rosters in the NFL next season. Even worse, Wilson's style of play is completely incompatible with the Raiders current roster.

Russ is at his best operating off of play action and throwing the ball deep. The downside is that he likes to hold onto the ball (career time to throw of 3.01 seconds) and takes a lot of sacks when under pressure, especially now that he is not as mobile as he used to be. The Raiders had the NFL's worst rushing offense last season and it wasn't particularly close. This would make it very difficult for Russ to operate effectively in the Raiders offense despite the presence of the league's best young TE.

Las Vegas would need to seriously revamp their offensive line and RB room as well as add more pass-catching weapons for Wilson to have any real shot at success. While that isn't impossible, it wouldn't make much sense for a young team in the early stages of a rebuild to roll with this version of Russell Wilson as their QB.

- Jonathan Fuller

I’m a gambler at my core, so speaking about Las Vegas with a negative connotation is a disorienting feeling. In this case, you have to call it how you see it. The Raiders are the polar opposite of the Steelers in terms of stability. The coaching turnstile continued this week as Mark Davis fired Antonio Pierce. 

There’s always a chance that Tom Brady’s influence could turn around the fortunes of the franchise, but there is no guarantee that he will right the ship immediately.

Brock Bowers is an absolute stud, but it’s not like the Raiders’ wide receiver room is anything to write home about. Finishing with the fourth fewest drops (15) and fifth-worst mark in EPA per dropback, only highlights the lack of explosiveness on the current roster. Wilson needs a vertical element to his game in order to be successful. 

Wilson already wasted two years in Denver, and entering a rebuild at this stage of his career would be a bizarre choice. 

- Mark Drumheller

I'm going to have to agree with the above statements and say that the Raiders (or honestly, anywhere that isn't Pittsburgh) would be brutal for Wilson both as an NFL QB and as a fantasy asset.

Yes, the Raiders have the cap space to go after someone like Wilson, Darnold, or even Kirk Cousins, and I would never blame a player for going out and securing the bag at any stage of their professional career. Even so, we have to be realistic about how Wilson fits in the Steel City and how he can continue to manage and guide this offense for years to come.

- Sam Wallace

Where Will Russell Wilson Play in 2025?

A short-term deal to keep Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh makes the most sense for all parties involved.

- Jonathan Fuller

Keep Russ in black and gold! I believe Mike Tomlin likes having a veteran QB at the helm, and the Steelers will sign him to a deal that keeps him in Pittsburgh for a few more years. It’s the best fit. If the Steelers add some pieces to the offensive line and provide better protection, the ceiling will be even higher for Wilson in 2025.

- Mark Drumheller

Pittsburgh, let's ride.

- Sam Wallace

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