PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There was no doubt left, much like when he was asked minutes after the game in Baltimore Saturday, quarterback Russell Wilson said quickly he wants to return to the Steelers.
“Yeah, that's the plan,” Wilson said. “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 a lot more to do.”
Wilson came from Denver with the idea he would be the starter. There was no competition as he arrived even after the acquisition of Justin Fields. Only a training camp injury pushing a sled kept him from starting at the beginning of the season. The Steelers were 4-2 when he took over, but any controversy ended quickly with his early results.
In his first two games, no turnovers and a pair of wins over the New York City (New Jersey) teams. Then a perfect game-winning touchdown pass to Mike Williams for a victory in Washington, followed up by a team win against Baltimore. Two weeks later he would throw for 414 yards and three touchdowns bringing back memories of Ben Roethlisberger under center against the Bengals.
Then being a part of an offense that mostly disappeared as the team lost five straight to end the season.
“I thought I played well,” Wilson said when asked to assess his season. “I thought there's moments I wish I played a little bit better. I feel like I had two plays that I wish I had back, to be honest with you. The one in Kansas City and the one in the Ravens game where I should’ve just kind of put the ball inside. Other than those two plays in particular, I competed.”
“I thought, just from a leadership standpoint, I gave my all every day, and I think that's the best thing you can always try to give.”
Pro Football Focus ranks Wilson as the 14th best quarterback in the NFL and that’s where he finished in quarterback rating. According to PFF, he’s ahead of CJ Stroud, Jordan Love, Matt Stafford, Tua Tagovailoa, Dake Prescott and others. He finished with 16 touchdowns to 5 interceptions
Is that what the Steelers want?
Wilson could only say the team knows his desire. He would cost them a lot more than the $1.2 the Steelers were responsible for. For a benchmark-Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers each cost their teams $37.5 million. Atlanta paid $45 million for Kirk Cousins. On the lower end, Geno Smith got $25 million with Seattle and even Gardner Minshew, a career backup, got $12.5 million with the Raiders in 2024.
Russ said he believes he could play five more years. That he feels great physically, mentally and emotionally. He said he still loves the game, loves the process, loves the mentality and loves competing. And even more love.
“I just love the guys,” Wilson said. “I love the locker room. I love Coach Tomlin. I love who he is. I think that, obviously this place is a place that I think can win a lot and I think you have a championship caliber football team.”
Wilson said it’s not what the Steelers offense is missing right now, they way he put it is they need to ‘recalibrate’ and get sharper on a couple of things here and there. It’s about growing and evolving. Wilson said youth played a part in them not being able to finish or start quicker.
They need to find the more explosive plays, especially earlier in games. He said it doesn’t have to be through the passing game, but it’s what will make this team better.
To boil it down, Wilson believes in everybody in the organization. Do the Steelers believe enough in him?