After a playoff run that ended in a one-sided loss to the rival Ravens, Russell Wilson is ready to return to the Steelers.
The Pittsburgh quarterback addressed his future with the media Monday while cleaning out his locker.
“Yes, that’s the plan,” Wilson said when asked if he wants to return to Pittsburgh next year. “Obviously, I love it here 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 still a lot to do .”
Wilson, 36, played this season with the Steelers on a one-year contract worth $1.21 million. he still has $37.79 million to pay of the Broncos. He will be a free agent without a new contract in Pittsburgh. He said Monday he wants to play “as long as possible,” reiterating a statement he made in November that he wants to play for another 5 to 7 years.
“That was always my plan, to play as long as possible,” Wilson said. … “I feel good, mentally and emotionally.”
Wilson said he “thought I played well” this season while noting that “there are times I wish I played a little better.”
Should the Steelers bring Wilson back next season?
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 the quarterback job in Week 7 and remained the Steelers’ starter for the remaining 11 games of the regular season and during Saturday’s 28-14 loss to the Ravens.
Pittsburgh won its first four games with Wilson at quarterback before finishing the regular season 2–5 which included a season-ending four-game losing streak. Wilson completed 63.7 percent 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 stint with the Broncos, leading Denver to release him despite a significant salary cap drop. He was good enough to keep Pittsburgh competitive as a playoff team, but there was no indication that he could return to his Pro Bowl form after his tenure with the Seahawks and bring the Steelers into Super Bowl contention.
With Wilson making his desires known on Monday, the Steelers have a decision to make this offseason: attempt to re-sign Wilson or seek an upgrade at quarterback. This last option is obviously easier said than done. Pittsburgh’s upside is limited to Wilson, but finding a quarterback to compete with 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 haven’t happened yet.
“I think they know I always wanted to be here and play here,” Wilson said. “There’s also a process. We haven’t had those meetings yet. We’ll have them, and we’ll go from there.”
