Russell Wilson made his entrance at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, immediately searching for his son, Future Wilson. Upon spotting him on the opposite sideline, he quickly crossed the field, highlighting how important it was for him to share this moment with his child. As Wilson approaches his 10th Pro Bowl appearance, he reflects on the possibility that it might be his final one.
The 36-year-old quarterback was named an alternate for the Pro Bowl Games after Buffalo’s Josh Allen withdrew. Wilson is currently a free agent following a season spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I’m looking forward to hopefully going back to the Steelers, and we’ll see what happens with the rest,” Wilson expressed. “I love it in Pittsburgh.”
However, the Steelers may have other players in mind. Team president Art Rooney II stated on Monday that the organization is interested in retaining either Wilson or Justin Fields on a multiyear contract. While Rooney did not specify which quarterback it would be, he did suggest that Wilson’s age could influence the decision. Fields, who stepped in to fill Wilson’s role when he was injured early in the season, will turn 25 next month. In contrast, Wilson was already an established player with three Pro Bowl selections before Fields even played high school football.
“I’ve been fortunate to play for over 13 years, and I still have plenty of game left in me,” Wilson remarked. “Staying healthy is always the key. You need to be healthy to perform at your best, and I feel great right now.”
Wilson carefully navigated inquiries about the potential of rejoining his former Seattle coach Pete Carroll with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders recently appointed the 73-year-old Carroll, leading to speculation that Wilson could follow suit. “Pete’s going to be a great coach, obviously,” Wilson said. “He excels at what he does. But I’m focused on the Steelers.”
After recovering from a calf injury early in training camp, Wilson managed to start the last 11 games of the 2024 season. He completed 63.7% of passes for 2,482 yards, throwing 16 touchdowns against five interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward emphasized the importance of keeping Wilson for the 2025 season, also mentioning Fields in his comments. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but those quarterbacks have their skills,” Heyward stated. “I just hope we find a way for continued success.”
Raiders tight end Brock Bowers shared a smile when asked about the possibility of playing alongside Wilson but chose not to advocate for a quarterback change over Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew. He did, however, inquire with Wilson about Carroll. “He said Coach Carroll is great, brings a lot of energy to the practice field,” Bowers noted. “Carroll has an impressive track record and possesses extensive football knowledge, so I’m eager to see how things unfold.”
The next steps for Wilson remain uncertain as he expressed his admiration for the Steelers. “Mike Tomlin is a truly remarkable individual. He ranks among the greatest,” Wilson said.
Some might argue Wilson’s legacy also holds merit; he stands as one of just three quarterbacks in NFL history to surpass 2,400 passing yards in each of their first 13 seasons. With 130 victories in his first 13 years, he trails only Tom Brady (153), Peyton Manning (150), Ben Roethlisberger (136), and Brett Favre (136) for wins in that same timeframe. Along with his impressive statistics, he also boasts an impressive 10 Pro Bowl selections.
“It’s a blessing,” Wilson declared. “I recall being here during my rookie season, surrounded by legends like Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, and the Manning brothers. I felt immense gratitude then, and ten Pro Bowls later, I continue to see it as a blessing.”
