Despite swirling rumors of a potential reunion with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson remains committed to his current team. Speaking at the NFL Pro Bowl Games weekend on February 1, Wilson reaffirmed his desire to continue wearing black and gold.
Wilson’s Loyalty to Pittsburgh
With the Raiders recently hiring Carroll, speculation arose about Wilson potentially reuniting with his former Seahawks coach. However, Wilson quickly shut down the idea.
“Pete’s going to be a great coach, obviously. He’s great at what he does,” Wilson said. “But I’m focused on the Steelers. I’m looking forward to hopefully going back to the Steelers, and we’ll see what happens.”
Wilson, who signed a one-year, league-minimum deal with Pittsburgh after being released by the Denver Broncos, will be an unrestricted free agent in March. While the Broncos covered most of his salary last season, Wilson is now expected to seek a more lucrative multi-year contract, with estimates placing his market value around two years and $77.5 million.
Steelers’ Quarterback Conundrum
Pittsburgh faces a crucial decision at quarterback, as Wilson isn’t the only one expressing a desire to return. Backup Justin Fields has also stated his interest in staying with the team. However, salary cap constraints likely mean the Steelers can only retain one.
Fields, ten years younger than Wilson, started the 2024 season 4-2 before Wilson took over and won six of his first seven starts. However, Wilson and the Steelers ended the season on a five-game losing streak, raising questions about the team’s long-term plans under center.
What’s Next for Pittsburgh?
Steelers owner Art Rooney II has publicly stated that he would prefer to keep either Wilson or Fields but hasn’t indicated a preference. Reports suggest Pittsburgh is leaning toward re-signing Fields while potentially drafting a quarterback in the middle rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
With free agency looming, Wilson’s future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—his heart is in Pittsburgh. Whether the Steelers reciprocate that commitment will be revealed in the coming months.
