The 2026 NFL Draft has arrived, transforming all accumulated and traded draft selections into new players. This process includes compensatory picks, which the league grants to teams losing valuable free agents as a form of compensation.
The Steelers notably received one such pick in the current draft, following quarterback Russell Wilson’s departure to sign with the Giants during the 2025 free agency period. During his single season in Pittsburgh, Wilson posted a 6-5 record as a starter, guiding the team to a Wild Card round appearance that ended in defeat.
How did the Steelers obtain a compensatory pick for Russell Wilson?
What actions did the Steelers take with the compensatory pick linked to Russell Wilson’s contract?
The Steelers ultimately did not utilize the compensatory pick acquired for Russell Wilson. Instead, in March, they traded it to the Indianapolis Colts as part of a Day 3 draft pick exchange that secured wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. for Pittsburgh.
What was Russell Wilson’s performance like for the Giants in 2025?
While Wilson began the 2025 season as the Giants’ starting quarterback, his tenure in that role was predictably brief, given that New York had drafted Ole Miss signal-caller Jaxson Dart in the first round before the season began.
During Week 2 of the 2025 season, Wilson demonstrated his enduring deep-ball prowess, delivering a 450-yard, three-touchdown, one-interception outing in a high-scoring overtime defeat against the Dallas Cowboys. Yet, his later-career deficiencies remained evident; in his two other starts for New York, Wilson couldn’t surpass 170 passing yards and failed to throw a single touchdown.
Following an 0-3 start, Wilson was demoted in favor of Dart before the Giants’ Week 4 matchup, also falling behind Jameis Winston on the team’s depth chart. Nevertheless, Wilson disclosed post-season that he had been playing with an undisclosed grade two hamstring tear since Week 2.
Dart acknowledges Wilson played a crucial mentoring role throughout his rookie campaign. Although Wilson accumulated only 831 passing yards during his time as a Giant, his single-year contract still delivered certain benefits for the New York franchise.
With his Giants contract having concluded in 2026, Wilson is currently an unrestricted free agent.