Russell Wilson served as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season, but after a disappointing finish, it appears his time with the team is nearing its end. Although he demonstrated potential early on, his performance declined sharply as the season progressed, with frequent turnovers and inconsistency in leading the team to the end zone. This culminated in a five-game losing streak, including a playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round, leaving the Steelers discontented with Wilson.
NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated indicated that the Steelers experienced “frustration” with Wilson’s struggles in the late season, raising significant doubts about his future in Pittsburgh. He mentioned, “Wilson and Justin Fields are both free agents. Will either be back in Pittsburgh? There was frustration with Wilson down the stretch, so I’m not sure how far the Steelers will be willing to go to keep him,” further elaborating on the concerns surrounding Wilson’s future in the organization.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Wilson played this season on a league-minimum salary due to still receiving compensation from the Denver Broncos after his mid-contract release. If the Steelers decide to retain Wilson, it would likely require a substantial pay increase from last season.
Breer noted that the playoff performance against the Ravens was expected to “help set the course” for Wilson’s future, yet the offense’s underwhelming display in that game likely sealed his fate. He remarked, “I’d heard before the playoff game Saturday that the playoffs would likely help set the course. Based on how the offense played…”
Other insiders share this outlook; Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk expressed certainty that Wilson’s tenure in Pittsburgh is over, stating, “I will be beyond stunned if Russell Wilson is back in any capacity with the Steelers next year,” during a recent appearance.
While the Steelers have not yet made an official announcement regarding Wilson’s status, the signs heavily suggest that his time in Pittsburgh is coming to an end, inciting a variety of reactions on social media. Fans have voiced opinions such as, “The Steelers should let Russell Wilson walk and let Justin Fields be their starter in 2025. If Fields does well, you might have your answer. If Fields struggles, you get a high draft pick to draft a quarterback. They can’t keep being stuck in the middle.” Another commented, “The Steelers need to sink or swim with Justin Fields as their starter next year. Bringing back Russell Wilson does absolutely nothing for them. It’s not like they’re a QB away from winning a Super Bowl. See what the young kid has.”
Various social media users also expressed their sentiments, with one stating, “If Russell Wilson is starting QB for the Steelers next season I’m off this app,” and another noting, “I respect everything Russell Wilson has done but the Steelers need to give Justin Fields a shot and see if he can make something happen.” Ultimately, the consensus seems to be that Wilson’s potential return is viewed unfavorably, with users asserting, “You’ll never convince me that CURRENTLY Russell Wilson has more upside for the Steelers’ future than Justin Fields does.” We await an official decision, but it indeed looks like Wilson’s time in Pittsburgh is nearing its conclusion.
