As the Pittsburgh Steelers enter a critical offseason filled with uncertainty, one key figure has made his intentions abundantly clear. Quarterback Russell Wilson, coming off his 13th NFL season and first with the Steelers, expressed a strong desire to remain with the storied franchise despite his expiring contract. The 36-year-old signal caller, who joined Pittsburgh on a one-year deal following his release from the Denver Broncos, now faces a pivotal juncture in his illustrious career.
Speaking candidly during the team’s locker room clean out, Wilson left no doubt about his preferred path forward. “That’s the plan,” he affirmed when asked about staying with the Steelers. “I love it here and everything else, and I think we have a great football team.” The nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XLVIII champion, however, acknowledged the work that lies ahead. “Obviously it didn’t end the way we wanted it to, and I think there’s a lot more to do.”
Mutual Interest Remains Unclear
While Wilson’s eagerness to continue his Steelers tenure is evident, the organization’s reciprocation of that sentiment remains murky. Wilson clarified that he has yet to engage in formal discussions with the Steelers’ brass regarding his future. “I think they’ve known that I’ve always wanted to be here and play here, but it is also a process,” he noted. “We haven’t had those meetings yet, so we will have those and we’ll go from there.”
The uncertainty surrounding Wilson’s contract situation comes on the heels of a tumultuous season for both the veteran quarterback and his team. Hampered by a lingering calf injury, Wilson missed the first six games of the 2024 campaign. His return sparked a resurgence, leading the Steelers to six victories in his first seven starts. However, the team stumbled down the stretch, losing their final five contests and falling short of a playoff berth.
Wilson’s 2024 Performance
Reflecting on his performance, Wilson offered a balanced assessment. “I thought I played well,” he stated. “There’s moments I wish I played a little bit better. I feel like I had two plays that I wish I had back, just to be honest with you. The one in Kansas City and the one in the Ravens game.” Despite the late-season slide, Wilson shouldered responsibility while praising his teammates’ efforts. “Other than that, those two plays in particular, I competed, and I gave it my all. Obviously felt like we didn’t play good enough when we needed to as a team.”
Long-Term Aspirations Intact
Earlier this season, Wilson expressed his desire to play for another 5-7 years, a goal he reaffirmed on Monday. “That’s always been my plan is to play as long as possible,” he asserted. “That’s always been my kind of thought process. I feel great physically, mentally, emotionally.”
“If you want to play 20-plus years, you got to love it, and I love the process. I love the mentality, and I love competing with my teammates, so that’s always been the plan.”
Russell Wilson
As for his contract priorities, whether length or value will take precedence, Wilson remained mum. “I just trust the process and trust that we will have those conversations when the time comes.”
Watt Shares Commitment to Pittsburgh
Wilson isn’t the only Steeler stalwart hoping to stick around. All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt, who becomes eligible for an extension this summer with one year remaining on his current deal, likewise professed his loyalty to the Steel City. “I want to be at Pittsburgh Steeler,” Watt declared. “You guys know that. I don’t want to leave this place, especially in this — I want to be part of the solution.”
Watt, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, emphasized his investment in the organization and his determination to help steer the ship back on course. “I’ve put so much into it here. I’ve seen so many guys. I mean I want to help Cam Heyward get to where we need to get. I want to be a part of the solution. I don’t want to leave this place. I love the people here. And that goes beyond just the coaches, it’s the fan base, it’s the people, the community, and we owe it to them to get it right. And I want to be part of the solution, not leave here and go somewhere else. That’s not my intention at all.”
Frustration Mounts Over Playoff Failures
Watt also voiced his exasperation with the Steelers’ recent postseason shortcomings, particularly the way the 2024 season unraveled in its final month. “It’s tough,” Watt admitted. “We sit here the same time as last year, the same time as I’ve been in this scrum and same questions, and I have the same answers. Obviously, I’m very frustrated with how things ended, and that’s not just with the last game, that’s at the last month of football.”
“It’s a collection of things, and it starts with myself, and I need to play better. We need to play better. There’s not one thing that needs to be fixed here. There’s a lot of things, but it starts internally with myself and needing to play better in bigger moments and it’ll be a long off season to have to sit with that.”
T.J. Watt
As the Steelers embark on a pivotal offseason, the futures of franchise pillars Russell Wilson and T.J. Watt hang in the balance. While both have made their desires to remain in Pittsburgh abundantly clear, the organization’s plans and the outcomes of impending contract negotiations could chart the course for this proud franchise’s next chapter. For Steeler Nation, the coming months promise no shortage of intrigue and anxiety as they await resolution on the fates of two indispensable leaders.
