JANUARY 13: Wilson repeated his desire to land a new Steelers contract on Monday, although he noted (via Pryor) no talks have taken place with the team yet. Needless to say, how interested Pittsburgh is in entertaining another year (or more) of Wilson in the fold will make for one of the team’s most significant offseason storylines.
JANUARY 12: Back in March, mere days after the Steelers signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year contract covering the 2024 campaign, there were already reports indicating that player and team were planning to discuss a multiyear accord in the 2025 offseason. After Wilson took over the QB1 role from Justin Fields in Week 7, the on-field results engendered more such reports, with multiple outlets reiterating that Pittsburgh intended to re-sign Wilson and keep him as the starter.
Wilson, 36, was likewise interested in extending the relationship, and Baker Mayfield’s three-year, $100MM contract with the Buccaneers was seen as a logical comparable for Wilson’s camp to shoot for in negotiations. However, the Steelers’ season ended in a tailspin, as the club lost the final four games of the regular season to cede control of the AFC North to the Ravens, and then they lost their wildcard-round matchup with Baltimore last night to bring their year to a close.
After posting quarterback ratings of at least 101.1 in five of his first seven games under center for the Steelers – a stretch in which the team went 6-1 – Wilson failed to record a rating above 94.5 during the next four games. And while his surface-level statistics in the playoff loss look strong – he connected on 20 of 29 pass attempts for 270 yards and two TDs – Pittsburgh mustered less than 60 yards of offense in the first half and were trailing 21-0 at halftime.
To be fair, the Steelers’ schedule over what became a five-game losing streak to end the season – Philadelphia, Baltimore, Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Baltimore – was a challenging one. It is nonetheless reasonable to wonder if the team’s thoughts about Wilson’s future in Pittsburgh have changed over the last month.
For his part, Wilson remains steadfast in his desire to hammer out a new contract with the Steelers. In his postgame presser following the wildcard-round defeat, the veteran signal-caller confirmed that he intends to continue his playing career – “I’ve got so much more ball left in me,” he said – and made it plain that he hopes to stay put (X links via ESPN’s Brooke Pryror).
“It’s been one of the best years for me personally to be a Pittsburgh Steeler,” he said. “And obviously I hope I’m here and everything else.”
Wilson added, “it’s a special, special place. And I know God brought me here for a reason” (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).
As Florio observes, head coach Mike Tomlin declined to address the future of his team’s quarterback position after the game, merely indicating that Wilson’s performance “wasn’t good enough” while lauding the QB’s efforts in rallying the offense after the dismal first half.
Fields, who led the team to a 4-2 mark before being demoted in favor of Wilson, is also an impending free agent, but he is nearly 11 years younger than his senior colleague, and he has earned plenty of fans in the building. Indeed, Tomlin previously indicated that the decision to insert Wilson into the starting lineup over Fields was entirely his own, and that he went against the grain in making the call.
For a time, it appeared to be the right move. Now, though, the organization will have a number of difficult decisions to make regarding the most important position in sports.
Please re sign with them and make them the losers they deserve to be. I need some more laughs. Yuk Yuk
You root for a team that has one winning season in the last decade and you’re laughing at the Steelers for being losers?
I’ll let you know what I think after Poles plays pin the tail on the donkey and picks the coach which team I think has a brighter future. If you re sign that has been then I probably already know. And when I see what WR’s they draft with mental problems this year.
Already know what? That has been just led the Steelers to 10 wins, 380 points, and a playoff berth, all things the Bears haven’t exactly done a whole lot. I don’t think Bears fans should be calling the Steelers losers.
He wobbled them to 6 wins. You’ll figure it out eventually. Or maybe not. Classless Organization.
Save that anger for the Packers, Vikings and Lions Mike…lol.
Someone still butt hurt over that chase Claypool trade.
lmao at calling Wilson a has been when that offense has very few weapons. Warren and Harris both averaged about 4 yards per carry, Pickens is a WR1 only in his mind. Yet still finished middle of the pack in points scored. They’ll be back in the playoffs next year if they use some draft picks on offense.
Imagine actually thinking its bad for a team to have not done worse than .500 since 2004 and have gone to the playoffs 14 times within that span. And you root for the Bears? Youre the same guy who needed to ask whats the difference between two different people just because they are brothers lmao
Another year for Fields as a back-up. He didn’t prove anything this year.
He never had the chance. He helped Pittsburgh to a 4-2 start, then they benched him. What was he going to be able to “prove” holding a clipboard?
He had the chance in the first 6 games and he wasn’t able to take the job. Fields is an athlete, not a QB
Is the objective to win games or post passing statistics? Asking, genuinely.
Fields won football games for them, and he added some dynamic ability to that offense that it frankly lacks. He isn’t the best pure passer, I’ll give anyone that. If he wins, that should be enough, though.
The objective is to win games. His record is 14-30. Fields might win with his legs occasionally, but long-term a QB needs to lead an offense by throwing the ball effectively.
His record is 14-30 because he played on some horrendous teams in Chicago. On a better Pittsburgh team, he won more than he lost. It’s a small sample size, I know. I just think this guy is always judged too harshly.
And Russ posted a nice passing line last night. It looked good on paper. Where are the Steelers today, though? Sure, it’s not all on him. I’m just saying.
I think Wilson has a bit more to offer than Fields but either way you’re looking at someone who is just going to be a bridge QB in Pittsburgh until a long term solution presents itself via the draft.
Agreed.
I’m kind of numb to either QB, as neither Fields or Russ seems to be the real answer
Would definitely be interesting to run it back again with some new WR to truly see how much of a problem that was
Russ had some moments and one has to wonder how rarely his targets were actually open, would love to see the wide angle film
Cleveland take note. The Broncos realized their mistake and moved on. You should do the same.
Cleveland already caught a break with Watson having a second surgery. Wilson is certainly hoping to be back in Pittsburgh as it’s one of the only places he has a chance to remain a starting QB. I can see Pittsburgh moving on from Russ and taking a chance on Rodgers once he’s kicked out of NY. He’ll bring his trusty sidekick Devante to give the Steelers the #1 WR the coveted all last off-season
Cleveland should cut Watson & take the cap hit. Just as the Bronco’s are doing. They should trade Garrett as well, then trade back and get as many picks as they can for this year and next. Accept another bad season in 2025, but be loaded w/ picks for the ’26 draft for a 1st round QB.
Yeah, except Watson would be nearly 3x the record breaking dead cap the Broncos ate.
Do you suggest the Browns keeping Watson rather than moving on? Its over. Time for Cleveland to move on.
You obviously don’t follow Russell Wilson. I don’t want to see him return to Pittsburgh but his last year in Denver he finished with a higher completion % than Lawrence, hurts, Herbert, Geno and just a tick under Josh Allen.
More TD passes than Lamar, Carr, stafford, hurts, stroud, Lawrence and Herbert. Even Cousins.
So yeah Denver was smart money wise to cut bait but don’t look foolish and act like it was cause he was an awful QB
Russ is an average, middle of the pack starting QB. The problem is that he won’t be getting any better as he ages. I wouldn’t have a problem with the Steelers signing him again for a 2 year deal or a 3 year deal that you can cut bait on with minimal consequences after 2 years. But if they go that route I’d like them to draft Jalen Milroe. Milroe has his faults but he has the highest potential outside of Ward or Shedeur in the draft class. Russ would be a good guy for him to work under as he develops and would give the Steelers a reasonable chance of having a true qb of the future.
Was it me, or did the Steelers lay down last night? Before these last two games against the Ravens, the Steelers were 8-2 against them?
They had no fight at all in the first half.
Wilson may not inspire enough in his teammates but I would give him another year.
I like Russ, but it’s time for Fields next year to see what he really has and then most likely draft someone in 2026. Trade Pickens, new DC, okay with Art but would do a fresh start for OC, draft WR early, RB day 2, bring Warren back, Let Najee walk,sign solid FA wr, address corner. That’s my wishlist. Go Steelers
Too many teams need a QB. Whoever the Steelers pick between Wilson or Fields the out guy will find a starters job elsewhere.
This team needs a big rebuild from top to bottom. It begins with Tomlin going. “No losing season” doesn’t cut it for a fan base that expects playoff wins. You can’t blame the O-line, Wide Receivers, Defense or QBs anymore. It’s time to face the truth that Tomlin just can’t coach to the level of Super Bowl winners anymore. His team gave up on him and that’s solidly his fault. Go hire a bright assistant or hire Flores back. He’s a good defensive coach and tough on his players. No more baby behavior. Trade Tomlin to speed up the rebuild. Enough is enough.
No coaching staff is winning with the players the Steelers have had the past few years. How did 3 qbs who didn’t start this year (Rudolph couldn’t even keep the starting job on the titans) make the playoffs last year? This team just hasn’t been talented enough. Tomlin didn’t perfect but firing him doesn’t fix the fact that’s it’s a qb driven league
Omg pls no. Not interested in signing a declining player at what he will cost.
I’d rather have Aaron Rodgers to be honest. Russ seems like a one trick pony at this point. Still throws a gorgeous deep ball, but that’s about it.
I think this is what will happen and Adams will come with him. I would not mind Adams at all as we need another receiver.
Wilson was good when they first made the switch and they were competing for the division and playoff spot, but…
They should have spent this season giving Fields a REAL chance (he played with training wheels here) to show what he could do. Let him throw it.
Would he have panned out? Probably not, but he has the ceiling they need to find and he was their only chance to find it this season (or likely next given this draft class).
The league adjusted to Russ. And the Steelers didn’t readjust.
I’ve got nothing at all against Wilson, he was better than I expected overall. And he was and Fields gave a master course in how to compete for a job while still being solid leaders and teammates.
But Russ is declining. Fields might not be as good at the moment but he might improve with a better supporting cast and play calling. If it’s me I’m running with Fields and a draftee.
I hope you guys read Talkoffametwo.com, a good site for endorsing candidates for the HOF but they also comment on current games, trends, teams and players. According to Clark Judge, its leading writer, Wilson is only 2-13 the last three years in Dec and January as a starter. Does he fade more down the stretch, or just the teams he is on? If he comes back to the Steelers, the team has to finish stronger but this defense was terrible.
Russ was just as bad?