The Pittsburgh Steelers are not interested in having Russell Wilson back following his one-year tenure with the team. As reported by DK Pittsburgh Sports’ Dejan Kovacevic, the team has progressed, and the story of a “rift” between him and Arthur Smith wasn’t as accurate as it appeared.
“I’ll be brief and straight to the point: the Steelers have no interest in Russell Wilson,” Kovacevic stated. “Not even a little.”
Kovacevic also states that the narrative of Wilson and Smith facing issues due to Smith no longer permitting him to call plays is incorrect. And that the narrative was crafted by Wilson’s public relations team and agency to create a more favorable image of his challenges than the truth.
“What truly happened with Wilson, based on what those within the team have indicated, is that, as all our eyes could clearly observe, he wasn’t adhering to the play calls, he was retaining the ball for too prolonged a period, and, as a result, he could no longer evade defenders in the backfield,” Kovacevic stated.
Sources within the team have informed Steelers On SI that they intend for Justin Fields to be their starting quarterback in 2025, allowing Wilson to leave. Yet, discovering that Wilson and Smith’s decline unfolded differently than previously thought introduces an additional layer of worry.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding Wilson’s status in Pittsburgh, with some indicating the team has shown interest in re-signing him, and Wilson even mentioned on the Pat McAfee Show that negotiations have begun. As per a source, neither of these is entirely correct.
It seems that the Steelers and Wilson will not join forces again in 2025. While it doesn’t ensure Fields will return for another season, it appears that the team will either consider him or search for a new candidate for the position.
Options are limited, but the Steelers saw the issues in 2024. Something they clearly don’t want to repeat in 2025.