Home Sports Russell Wilson wants to play for Pittsburgh again in 2025: Do the Steelers want him back?

Russell Wilson wants to play for Pittsburgh again in 2025: Do the Steelers want him back?

0 comments
Will Russell Wilson play one more season with the Steelers? (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

After a playoff run that ended with a one-sided loss to the rival Ravens, Russell Wilson is ready to return to the Steelers.

The Pittsburgh quarterback discussed his future with the media on Monday while cleaning out his locker.

“Yeah, that’s the plan,” Wilson said when asked if he wanted to return to Pittsburgh next year. “Obviously, I love this and everything else. I think we have a great football team. Obviously it didn’t end the way we wanted it to. And I think there’s a lot more to do.”

Wilson, 36, played for the Steelers on a one-year, $1.21 million contract this season, while 37.79 million dollars are still owed of the Broncos. He will be a free agent without a new contract in Pittsburgh. He said Monday that he wants to play “as long as possible,” reiterating a statement he made in November that wants to play 5-7 more years.

“That’s always been my plan: to play as long as possible,” Wilson said. … “I feel great, mentally and emotionally.”

Wilson said that he “thought I played well” this season and noted that “there are times where I wish I had played a little better.”

Will Russell Wilson play one more season with the Steelers? (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Wilson joined the Steelers in the offseason after being released by the Broncos, but started on the bench in favor of Justin Fields after a calf injury sidelined him in the preseason. He took over at quarterback in Week 7 and remained the Steelers’ starter for the remaining 11 games of the regular season and Saturday’s 28-14 loss to the Ravens in the wild-card game.

Pittsburgh won its first four games with Wilson at quarterback before finishing the regular season with a 2-5 record that included a four-game losing streak that ended the season. Wilson completed 63.7% of his passes for 225.6 yards per game with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in his 11 regular-season starts. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 270 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers in Saturday’s loss to the Ravens. But the Steelers never threatened to win the game.

Wilson’s play improved from the worst of his disastrous time with the Broncos, which resulted in Denver releasing him despite a significant cap hit. He was good enough to keep Pittsburgh competitive as a playoff team, but there was little indication he could return to his Pro Bowl form after his time with the Seahawks and lead the Steelers into Super Bowl contention.

While Wilson made his wishes known Monday, the Steelers have a decision to make this offseason: try to re-sign Wilson or look for an upgrade at quarterback. Obviously, this last option is easier said than done. Pittsburgh’s upside is limited to Wilson, but finding a quarterback to compete with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen in the AFC is not a realistic goal.

So what should the Steelers do? Wilson said those conversations are still to come.

“I think they knew I always wanted to be here and play here,” Wilson said. “There’s a process, too. We haven’t had those meetings yet. We’ll have them and go from there.”

You may also like