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 fair 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.
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.
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.
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.