Russell Wilson
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson addressed his NFL future during a recent podcast appearance.
During Russell Wilson’s winning streak with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the quarterback told reporters he wanted to play several more years. Despite the Steelers lack of interest in free agency and a very disappointing 2025 season with the New York Giants, Wilson’s goal remains the same.
The veteran quarterback said during an appearance on the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast Tuesday that he wants to play at least another three seasons.
“I’ve always had the vision of getting to 40 at least. … I feel healthy, I feel great,” Wilson said, via Seattle Sports’ Cameron Van Til. “But I think more than anything else, it’s do you love the game, do you love studying, do you love the passion for it all, do you love the process, do you love the practice?
“Everybody loves the winning part of it, but it’s the process, it’s the journey you’ve gotta be obsessed with. And that part, I’m obsessed with. Being around the fellows in the locker room and all that too. That part I still absolutely love and enjoy.”
Wilson made that goal public once again a week prior to the start of 2026 NFL free agency.
Where Could Russell Wilson Potentially Continue His Career?
Two years ago, Wilson signed with the Steelers just before the legal tampering period started. NFL rules permitted Wilson to do that because the Denver Broncos had released him ahead of free agency.
Wilson’s tenure in Pittsburgh started with a calf injury. When he eventually returned, he led the Steelers to wins in six of his first seven starts.
The quarterback appeared to be on his way to another long-term contract. Maybe, such a deal would have locked him into Pittsburgh close to 40 years old.
But Wilson and the Steelers lost their last five games, including the playoffs. Early in 2025 NFL free agency, pundits linked the team to quarterbacks such as Matthew Stafford, Sam Darnold and Justin Fields. But not Wilson.
If there was any remaining doubt, it became abundantly clear when Aaron Rodgers forced the Steelers to wait for his decision that the team had no interest in Wilson returning.
Wilson eventually landed a 1-year, $10.5 million contract with a team that also signed another veteran and drafted a signal-caller in the first round. He lasted three weeks as the Giants starter.
This offseason, Wilson’s market appears nonexistent. For example, ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler linked the Minnesota Vikings to nine different potential offseason quarterback additions Sunday.
The insiders explored free agents, both available and potential cuts and trade targets. The list included veterans and unproven youngsters. Rodgers made the list.
But not Wilson.
That’s probably why he feels the need to go on podcasts to deliver the message that he wants to play again. Wilson is barely a footnote in most of the quarterback chatter this offseason.
Even with the number of teams desperate for better quarterbacks, it’s hard to imagine who might give Wilson another shot.
Wilson Injury Potentially Under NFL Investigation
The veteran quarterback started his free agency pitch to NFL teams early this offseason.
Wilson suggested during the Giants locker room clean out day an injury impacted his 2025 season. Wilson told reporters he played through a serious hamstring ailment during Week 2.
“I played that game, you know, I tore my hamstring on Friday in practice — the last play of practice,” Wilson said, via Reuters. “And I had a grade two (tear). I couldn’t tell anybody. I had to go and play on it just because I knew the circumstance, I had to play on it, no matter what.”
That claim sent the media into a frenzy because Wilson didn’t appear on the Giants injury report before Week 2.
The quarterback emphasized again on X that he didn’t tell the Giants about the injury.
Not the @Giants fault! they didn’t know bc I didn’t want to tell anyone bc of the circumstances. I just had to play through it to try and go ball that day! Thought we were going to Win that wild crazy game! https://t.co/NGyhZGtlni
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) January 5, 2026
Still, the NFL was likely to investigate the incident after Wilson’s comments. There’s been no update, though, on the matter since early January.
More than anything, the incident probably indicates how close to the end Wilson really is. The quarterback recognizing he couldn’t miss a game, no matter what, says something.
But it will be interesting to see if the incident also impacts Wilson’s 2026 free agency. The quarterback hiding an injury doesn’t make him trustworthy.
Wilson didn’t address the injury during his Tuesday podcast appearance.