The Russell Wilson chapter with the Pittsburgh Steelers concluded badly. The team suffered defeats in its last five matches with Wilson as the starting quarterback. After emphasizing in the early offseason that the organization was seriously contemplating re-signing Wilson for 2025, the Steelers took minimal to no action to facilitate that.
Nonetheless, Wilson expressed only good remarks about the Steelers at his introductory press conference with the New York Giants.
The experienced quarterback also had praise for the player the Steelers aim to substitute Wilson with this offseason — Aaron Rodgers.
“Aaron Rodgers is an exceptional football player,” Wilson expressed to the media. “I’m concentrating on the present moment.” What actions we can take here. That has been my emphasis.
Wilson spent only one season with the Steelers, starting 12 games in total, including the playoffs. The experienced quarterback recorded a 6-6 tally.
Although Steelers owner Art Rooney II expressed his desire to re-sign Wilson or Justin Fields this offseason, the team seemingly did not make a significant effort to retain Wilson.
Russell Wilson Aimed to Come Back to Steelers
The Steelers did not keep their promise regarding bringing Wilson back. However, it seems the quarterback was truthful this offseason when he expressed to reporters his desire to come back to the Steelers.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on March 26 that Wilson had always intended to re-sign with the Steelers “right up until the end, just before he finalized a deal with the Giants.”
In Wilson’s last five games, the Steelers did not exceed 17 points in scoring. On January 4, the team posted 17 points against the Cincinnati Bengals, while a month prior, they achieved 44 points in an away win at Cincinnati.
That probably damaged any prospects Wilson had of coming back to Pittsburgh in 2025.
Wilson is now ready to compete for his third different team in four years after the quarterback signed a five-year, $242.6 million extension prior to the 2022 season.
Wilson Stays Classy Following Steelers Departure
Wilson has numerous reasons to feel resentful toward the Steelers in the last year.
One factor for his participation in 12 games rather than 18 was the club’s new strength and conditioning coach, Phil Matusz, who had Wilson using a blocking sled during training camp. The practice led to a calf strain for the 36-year-old.
Moreover, the Steelers seem to be unjustly holding Wilson responsible for the late-season breakdown in 2024.
Upon Wilson’s comeback from his calf injury, the Steelers achieved a 6-1 record in his initial seven starts. However, the Steelers lost their final four regular season games and subsequently fell in the playoffs’ first round.
The organization requested major adjustments this offseason. However, the general manager, head coach, and both coordinators have stayed the same.
The lineup has experienced a significant amount of change. However, most significantly, the Steelers entirely revamped their roster at quarterback once more.
Remember, all of this occurred after Wilson signed with the Steelers on a very favorable team contract. Wilson incurred no expense for that action, as the Denver Broncos were prepared to compensate him roughly $39 million in 2024 following his release.
However, Wilson might have sought greater long-term security from the Steelers instead of just a one-year contract. However, that would have negatively impacted the team’s salary cap situation.
Regardless of everything, Wilson seems to maintain a positive relationship with the Steelers, particularly with his old teammates and the fans.
“Clearly, Pittsburgh held a unique significance for me,” Wilson communicated to the press, according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “Pittsburgh filled my life with so much affection, dude.”
“I have a lot of teammates that I’m really close to.” Individuals such as T.J. [Watt] and Cam [Heyward], Mile Killebrew