Russell Wilson addresses plans for NFL future after Steelers season

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson played on a one-year contract in 2024, meaning he is set to become an unrestricted free agent once again.

While conversations with the Steelers about his future have yet to commence, Wilson said he would love to return in 2025.

“That’s the plan,” Wilson said Monday. “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’s comments come just two days removed from the Steelers dropping their sixth consecutive playoff game dating back to 2016 under head coach Mike Tomlin. The Wison-led offense was shutout in the first half, soundly defeated 28-14 by the Baltimore Ravens. Wilson completed 20-of-29 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns.

Tomlin named Wilson the starter over Justin Fields coming out of training camp and the preseason, but a calf injury forced him to miss the first six games of the season. Fields led Pittsburgh to a 4-2 record before making way for Wilson. The Steelers won six of Wilson’s first seven starts, at one point carrying a 10-3 record and occupying first place in a competitive AFC North.

Russell Wilson-led Steelers end 2024 season on disappointing note

A four-game losing streak to end the regular season meant that Pittsburgh would have to play on the road as a Wild Card against Baltimore, who captured the division crown for the second consecutive season. There was a common theme throughout the five straight defeats: The Steelers struggled to put points on the board, failing to surpass more than 17 points.

Before the offensive drought, Wilson looked primed to return to Pittsburgh next season. Now, that is certainly up in the air.

“I think they’ve known that I’ve always wanted to be here and play here, but it is also a process,” Wilson said. “We haven’t had those meetings yet, so we will have those and we’ll go from there.”

Wilson, 36, finished his 13th season in the NFL throwing for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions on 63.7% passing.

“I thought I played well,” Wilson said. “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. 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. I hated missing games.

“I hated missing those first six games. Don’t really miss games like that and that kind of was disappointing, but I love how guys made plays.”