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Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson told The New York Post he is still weighing his options this offseason.
Football opportunities haven’t exactly been plentiful for quarterback Russell Wilson since he left the Pittsburgh Steelers. But this offseason, he has received his first contract offer.
Wilson told The New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy on Tuesday the New York Jets offered him a deal when he visited the team last week. Despite the opportunity to remain in New York, where he played for the New York Giants last season, Wilson is still considering other opportunities.
Mainly, Wilson is mulling a chance to retire from football and begin a television broadcasting career.
“It was great,” said Wilson said of his visit to the Jets. “They offered me, and I’m trying to figure out what the next best thing is for me to do.
“I still know I can play ball at a high level. But also I have an opportunity to do TV, so we’ll see what happens.”
Wilson went 0-3 as a starter for the Giants last season. Before Week 4, the team benched the veteran quarterback in favor of first-round rookie Jaxson Dart.
With the Steelers in 2024, Wilson led the team to a 6-5 record in 11 starts. The quarterback, however, lost his last five games with Pittsburgh, including the postseason.
Russell Wilson Received Contract Offer From Jets
Wilson revealing he got an offer from the Jets came a few days after The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported the quarterback was talking to CBS about a television gig.
According to Marchand, Wilson is a candidate to join “The NFL Today,” which is the Sunday pregame show on CBS. There’s an opening on the show because fellow former quarterback Matt Ryan left CBS to become president of football with the Atlanta Falcons.
With the Jets, Wilson could join a quarterback room that includes veteran Geno Smith and fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik. The Jets also have Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe behind center on their roster.
Similar to last season, Wilson would be on a roster with another veteran quarterback and rookie signal-caller. But with the Jets, at least Wilson wouldn’t have to compete with a first-round rookie.
Wilson might even have the edge over Smith in a potential competition, but that would likely depend on how the two quarterbacks perform during the preseason. Ironically, the two were teammates with the Seattle Seahawks from 2020-21.
Steelers Don’t Appear Interested in Wilson Reunion
Things could change depending on injuries this summer. But the Jets appear to be Wilson’s only NFL opportunity for next season.
A Steelers reunion doesn’t appear at all possible for Wilson.
For a second straight offseason, Aaron Rodgers has prolonged his free agency into May. Furthermore, at the earliest, Rodgers will decide his 2026 playing status in a couple weeks.
Yet, the Steelers haven’t publicly expressed any interest in bringing back Wilson.
The veteran quarterback made the Pro Bowl during his lone Steelers season during 2024. However, the team finished with a sour taste after a 10-3 start.
Overall, Wilson completed 63.7% of his passes, 2,482 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 games for Pittsburgh.
Wilson will turn 38 years old in November. Last season was the first time he didn’t start at least 11 games in an NFL season.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers and a variety of other NFL teams. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
