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NFL free agency: Russell Wilson predicted to leave Steelers for Saints

Ex-Seahawks QB Russell Wilson predicted to sign with Saints in free agency
Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Few players in NFL history have fallen as far as former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson over the last few seasons. After 10 years of remarkable consistency in Seattle, the team traded him to the Denver Broncos in 2022 and the results were baffling.

While Wilson's numbers haven't been terrible since the trade, he's gone from one of the NFL's elite playmakers into a game manager over the last three seasons. In 2024, Wilson initially had success with the Pittsburgh Steelers before hitting a rough patch late in the year.

The Steelers lost four straight games to end the season and are unlikely to re-sign the veteran quarterback in free agency. So where will Wilson land in 2025?

A handful of teams are looking to add quarterbacks, including the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts. Sportsgrid's Zack Cook had an interesting take, predicting Wilson to sign with the New Orleans Saints in free agency.

"Russell Wilson's future in the NFL is shrouded in uncertainty as he enters a pivotal stage of his career," wrote Cook. "The key question is whether he will remain in Pittsburgh or if the seasoned quarterback will be on the move to what would be the fourth stop in his illustrious journey through the league. Despite the doubts, Wilson maintains that he still has valuable contributions to make on the field."

Russell Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles out of the pocket in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. The Bengals won 19-17 to finish the regular season at 9-8. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

But why the Saints? The team just gave Derek Carr a stamp of approval, but according to Saints reporter Nick Underhill, the two sides "still have some contract stuff" to figure out. Not only is Carr still getting paid like a top-flight quarterback, the team is nearly $50 million over the salary cap. Wilson would offer similar production to Carr at a more affordable price.

Last season, Wilson passed for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while Carr tossed 15 touchdowns with five interceptions.

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Matt Urben
MATT URBEN

Matt Urben is a sportswriter for multiple outlets, including MLive.com and USA TODAY Sports Media Group. He has covered numerous NFL teams, including the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. Matt grew up in Michigan, where he currently resides with his fiancé and dog. He is a graduate of MPI Film School and the University of Michigan.