Russell Wilson’s astonishing NFL pay rise in 2025

Russell Wilson’s first year with the Steelers didn’t quite go according to plan, which means there are plenty of question marks about his future in the NFL.

The 36-year-old, who won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks, had been viewed as an upgrade on the Steelers’ previous quarterback options, which was the case for part of the season.

Wilson missed the first six games of the regular season due to injury but returned to fitness in impressive fashion to lead the team to the brink of the playoffs. However, Pittsburgh only just sneaked into the playoffs in the end after losing each of their last four games, ultimately relying on favors elsewhere.

Which team will Russell Wilson play for in the 2025 NFL season?

That has led to speculation that the Steelers may not re-sign Wilson, who originally penned just a one-year contract with the franchise.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, though, the Steelers do want the veteran to stay on, convinced by his form immediately after coming into the team. Following Wilson’s debut in Week 7, Pittsburgh won six games out of seven, the main reason they ultimately clinched the playoffs.

But there is interest elsewhere, most notably from the Las Vegas Raiders. Coming off the back of a horrendous 4-13 season, their coach for the 2025 season will be Pete Carroll, who won the Super Bowl with Wilson while at the Seahawks.

How much will Wilson earn in 2025?

Schefter’s ESPN colleague Dan Graziano, meanwhile, has predicted Wilson is in line for a quite astonishing pay rise, whichever team he ends up playing for.

Graziano claims the quarterback is likely to earn a two-year $50 million deal, with $35 million guaranteed. That’s in sharp contrast to the contract he signed for the Steelers for the 2024 season, which him earn just $1.21 million, the league minimum.

Why did Wilson earn so little with the Steelers?

That came after he had been released by the Denver Broncos just 18 months after he has signed a five-year, $245 million contract extension.

“This isn’t like last year, either, when the money he made from the Steelers was offset against the guaranteed money the Broncos were still paying him. The Broncos don’t owe him any more, so Wilson won’t be available for a minimum salary as he was last season.”

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