Insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Saturday former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is not requesting to be traded following his benching with the New York Giants. But Wilson could still be a coveted signal-caller on the trade market nonetheless.
Wilson made his public relations case as well to teams potentially needing a quarterback before the end of 2025.
“I know that I’m going to respond in the right way every day,” said Wilson, via Rapoport and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
“I’m not done.”
Russell Wilson a Potential QB Trade Candidate: Report
Rapoport and Garafolo jointly reported Saturday that Wilson could receive an opportunity to play elsewhere in 2025.
“Wilson is expected to emerge as a trade candidate prior to the deadline on Nov. 4, the target of a QB-needy team in need of a veteran, according to sources around the league,” wrote Rapoport and Garafolo.
Wilson joins Atlanta Falcons backup Kirk Cousins as the top quarterback options potentially available if a team needs a long-term starter as quarterback injuries do happen.
In the immediate future, Wilson will serve as a mentor for Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. The first-year signal-caller will start his first NFL game Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Wilson went winless in three starts with the Giants to open the 2025 campaign. Dating back to last season, Wilson has lost eight consecutive starts, including the playoffs.
That’s the longest losing streak of his NFL career.
Wilson has lost his last seven regular season starts. In 2023, he also lost seven straight regular season contests with the Denver Broncos.
Overall, Wilson went 6-6 as the starting quarterback for the Steelers in 2024. He bolstered that record with a 6-1 start.
Wilson is 121-80-1 in his NFL career as a starter. But he owns a 23-35 record since the beginning of the 2021 campaign.
In three games with the Giants, Wilson posted a 59.1% completion percentage and averaged 7.1 yards per pass. He also had three touchdowns and three interceptions.
With the Steelers during 2024, he had a 63.7% completion percentage with 7.4 yards per pass, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 regular season contests.
Potential Trade Suitors for QB Russell Wilson
As expected, pundits have already begun speculating where Wilson could land if dealt before the 2025 NFL trade deadline. The most popular rumor destination over the last few days has been the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow is set to miss three months because of a foot injury.
Without Burrow in Week 3, the Bengals suffered a 48-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Cincinnati backup quarterback Jake Browning completed 19 of 27 passes for 140 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
The Bengals could acquire Wilson and start him until Burrow returns. Wilson hasn’t been a winning quarterback lately, but he has more experience than Browning.
Like the Giants, the New Orleans Saints are winless. But CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo suggested the Saints as a suitor as well.
“New Orleans is 0-3 despite getting solid play from second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler,” DeArdo wrote. Wilson could be a nice veteran presence for the Saints‘ extremely young quarterback room that also includes rookie Tyler Shough.
Other potential trade destinations could emerge as well. The most likely landing spot for Wilson is with a playoff contender who suffers an injury at quarterback.
The Steelers should prefer Wilson to be traded. The team’s compensatory draft pick for Wilson departing in 2025 free agency will be higher if the veteran quarterback receives more playing time.
Ex-Steelers’ Russell Wilson Fires Blunt Message Amid Trade Rumors After Benching