Russell Wilson wanted to bleed black and yellow. Instead, he bleeds a big blue.
The 36-year-old quarterback “I wanted to stay with the Steelers” and “to the end” Tuesday night when he agreed to a one-year deal with the Giants and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette's Jerry Durack, who spent the 2024 season. Reported on Wednesday.
Wilson has guaranteed $10.5 million this season, earning up to $21 million while playing home games at the stadium, earning the only Super Bowl ring for the Seahawks in February 2014.
“I was here before… I can't wait again,” Wilson wrote on his social media page Tuesday evening along with an exterior shot of MetLife Stadium.
The rapid change in the scenery comes two months after Wilson publicly praised the Steelers and expressed his desire to stay.
“The people we have, the organization is really first class. Not just me, but I clearly love the city, what that means. [wife] Ciara and our family, but it was also a special place in the National Football League, along with special people, and we got a special coach to Coach Tomlin,” the 10-time Pro Bowler said, following his defeat in the Wildcard Playoffs in Baltimore on January 11th.
“We've won special people, special players, special fans, special fanbase, and special blessings in my life. Personally, being a Pittsburgh Steeler was one of my best years. Obviously, I hope I'm here.”
The Steelers clearly had other plans for that position.
Before the free agency began this month, Steelers backup Justin Fields was reported last year, reporting that he was “edge” Wilson. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler states“There will be emotions in the fields inside the building, and both sides will be open on the way home.”
The reunion never happened when Fields, 26, was bolted for the Jets in a two-year, $40 million deal.
The Steelers set their sights on former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who also saw the veteran Giants.
Wilson met up with the Browns and Giants as former backup quarterback Mason Rudolph returned to the fold while the Steelers sat in Rodgers' waiting room.
Future Hall of Famer visited the Steelers Brass on Friday after the Vikings, a reported Rogers preference, chose to move forward with JJ McCarthy, the 2024 first-round pick that was side-effected last year due to a knee injury.
It is said that the meeting will be “positive and both parties will remain in touch.” According to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Even if the Giants move forward with Wilson, Jamis Winston and homemade Tommy DeVito, the team is expected to acquire a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft next month.
Winston, 31, has stepped away from a one-year stint with the Browns and agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with the Giants last Friday.
The Giants hold the third pick in the NFL Draft, while the Steelers pick No. 21 in the first round.
