The Pittsburgh Steelers have a big decision to make with free agency looming, and one of their AFC rivals is likely watching the situation very closely.
Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both set to become free agents when the NFL’s legal tampering window opens on March 12. The Steelers have indicated they want to bring one of the two back as their starter next season, and there have been reports that they are leaning toward trying to keep Fields.
That could be the outcome the Las Vegas Raiders are hoping for.
Pete Carroll was hired as the head coach of the Raiders this offseason. Carroll, of course, has a long history with Wilson. The two spent a decade together in Seattle, leading the Seahawks to a win in Super Bowl XLVIII win and an NFC title the following year. Wilson was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection under Carroll.
That was a much younger Wilson. There are plenty of valid questions about whether Wilson can still be a top-tier starting quarterback. He was mediocre at best last season with 2,484 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 games. Wilson did lead the Steelers to the playoffs, where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round.
The idea of Carroll and Wilson reuniting in Las Vegas is viewed as realistic. The Raiders are in the market for a veteran quarterback after they went 4-13 last season with a revolving door of Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder.
Wilson is certainly an option for the Raiders, especially after they already missed out on one of their reported top targets. Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers are some other names that come to mind.
Fields should not be ruled out, either. The 25-year-old still has plenty of potential, and he led the Steelers to a 4-2 start last season before Wilson returned from a calf injury. Fields also may not command a huge salary if he were to become available.
The Raiders have the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Even if they select a quarterback, they will likely look to add a veteran at the position. That veteran may wind up being one who played in Pittsburgh last season.