Steelers' Russell Wilson Tells Pat McAfee Something That’s Certain To Upset Fans

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of questions to answer in the 2025 offseason. The main question revolves around the most important position in football—the quarterback spot. In 2024, the Steelers were fortunate to have Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on relatively cheap contracts. However, if they plan to stick with Wilson, Fields, or even both in 2025, the team will face a significant increase in cost. This looming financial decision will make the Steelers' quarterback situation one of the most polarizing topics in Pittsburgh football this offseason.

Wilson, at 36 years old, is clearly on the tail end of his career, while Fields, just 25, represents a more promising long-term option. As a result, the fan base seems to be leaning toward moving on from Wilson and focusing on Fields' potential. Despite this, Wilson remains hopeful and eager to continue his career with the Steelers, pushing back against the narrative that he's no longer a viable starter. His passion for returning to Pittsburgh speaks volumes about his desire to prove doubters wrong.

One of the most concerning aspects of Wilson's 2024 performance was his inability to escape a collapsing pocket, a skill that once made him one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL. Age has clearly taken a toll on his mobility, leading to questions about whether he can still be the playmaker he once was. However, Wilson isn't ready to throw in the towel just yet. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, he expressed confidence in his speed and his ability to still be a dangerous mobile quarterback in this league.

"I can still get up and go," Wilson said. "But I think as you continue to evolve, I try to facilitate the ball to the right guys at the right time and getting it to them in the air as much as possible. Letting them do their thing, and then when it's time, using your legs."

Wilson said all the right things, but his belief that he can still rely on his legs is likely to upset Steelers fans. 

He continued to express confidence in his mobility, even at this stage of his career, which could raise concerns given the struggles he's shown in escaping the pocket this season.

"My ability to get outside and naked boot and play-action boot, that's always been a huge part, and still is a huge part," Wilson said. "You try not to spin out and do crazy stuff all the time, but when you need and you've got to do it [I can run]. I'm always working on my speed."

This statement is sure to upset many Steelers fans because it's simply not true. Wilson isn't the same mobile quarterback he once was, and on top of that, he's struggling to move around the pocket effectively. Whether or not he's still fast isn't the issue—Wilson may still have the quickness to run in the open field, but the real problem surfaces when the pocket collapses. 

In his prime, he could quickly escape pressure and throw on the run, but now he simply can't do it in the same way. He's not used to maneuvering within the pocket because he’s rarely had to rely on that skill.

Wilson finished 6-6 in his starts, including a playoff loss to end the 2024 season. As a passer, he showed flashes of his former self, but much of his success came from taking low-percentage shots that George Pickens and other wide receivers turned into big plays. He still proved he has the ability to make those throws, but when the pocket collapsed on him, the results were brutal.

Steelers' Russell Wilson Couldn't Avoid Sacks In 2024

Perhaps the most disappointing sight for Steelers fans was watching Wilson struggle to navigate the pocket. Some might argue that the offensive line wasn’t up to par late in the season, and yes, that’s true. 

But sacks are sometimes a quarterback stat, and many fans would argue that Wilson put himself in harm’s way more than once due to his own mistakes. With the 2025 season on the horizon, Steelers fans are anxiously awaiting the team's decision on who will lead them at quarterback moving forward.

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