Steelers' Russell Wilson Reveals His Intentions For 2025: "I Love It Here"

Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 season is officially over, the questions surrounding the team are coming quickly. The fans are frustrated and are hoping changes are made that finally give them another playoff win. While much of the fan base is shouting for the firing of Head Coach Mike Tomlin, others are wondering about more likely concerns, such as who will be the 2025 quarterback? 

When the franchise wiped the quarterback room clean after the 2023 season, they brought in two very different veterans: Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler, has been to two Super Bowls, winning one, and is on the tail end of his career. Fields is young and incredibly athletic, and many feel he was deprived of the opportunity he deserved with the Chicago Bears. When Fields got the Steelers off to 4-2 while Wilson nursed a calf injury, fans began to see him as the franchise's future. However, Tomlin insisted on switching to Wilson, feeling the team needed his veteran leadership. 

Initially, Tomlin looked like a genius; Wilson had only one loss, getting the team to 10-3. Unfortunately, that didn't last, as the whole team seemed to slump the last four games of the season, losing them all and then the playoffs. In his time in the Steel City, Wilson embraced the culture of Western Pennsylvania. Many believed he would be a fish out of water in a blue-collar city like Pittsburgh, but he has fit right in. There has been no sign of the diva player that he was reported to be. As the NFL season is winding down, Wilson spoke with the media and said he hopes to stay in black and gold for 2025, according to a tweeted video on X from Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Chris Adamski and 93.7 The Fan.  

"Yeah, that's the plan," said Wilson. "Obviously, I love it here and everything else. I think we have a great football team. It didn't end the way we wanted it to, and I think there's a lot more to do. I said to you guys before, I always trust God and the process."

Wilson and Fields are both free agents entering the 2025 offseason. They both came to Pittsburgh with one-year contracts. Wilson accepted the veteran minimum from the Steelers because the Denver Broncos were forced to pay out the rest of his enormous contract from his time with them. 

When Wilson had the offense humming, it was easy to imagine paying him something like Baker Mayfield's contract or even bigger. That would put him in the neighborhood of roughly $30 million a year, giving the Steelers time to find a more permanent solution. The hope is that that young player can develop behind Wilson. 

It seems unlikely that the Steelers will be able to retain both Wilson and Fields. Numerous teams desperately need a quarterback, and despite not being perfect, Fields is a step up for many of them. The 2025 NFL Draft is not expected to be a strong quarterback draft, which limits Pittsburgh's options for a franchise quarterback in the first round. 

Steelers Desperately Need Something To Change

Most of the local media agree that it is unlikely that Rooney will move on from Tomlin, but they say that doesn't mean there shouldn't be a change. Tomlin may need to be told to allow his coordinators to coordinate while he focuses on leadership. 

One of the issues is that Art Rooney II's ownership legacy is closely tied to the successes and failures of Tomlin. Considering the coach is still under contract, the team may allow that to play out until both Rooney and Tomlin are ready to move on. 

Do you think Wilson will or should be back for the 2025 season? Click to comment below. 

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