How Russell Wilson really felt about leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers for the New York Giants

Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson has a new team to play for in the 2025 season after agreeing to a brand new one-year deal on Tuesday evening.

Wilson, the 36-year-old quarterback, inked a one-year, $21million deal with the New York Giants.

Last season, he helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to yet another playoff appearance. While he was left looking for a new team after that season ended, it appears that wasn’t exactly what Wilson wanted.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wilson wanted to remain with the Steelers ‘right up to the end, before he agreed to a deal with the Giants.’

Instead, Wilson will now likely be the starting quarterback for the G-Men – or he will be in competition with Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito for the starting job.

Wilson’s deal includes $10.5m guaranteed. This also likely ends New York’s rumored pursuit of Aaron Rodgers.

Wilson, pictured with wife Ciara, had been looking for a new team after his Steelers exit 

Giants coach Brian Daboll has needed a new No 1 quarterback after another disastrous season

Wilson, now 36, began his NFL career with the Seahawks back in 2012 and he led Seattle to victory in Super Bowl XLVIII – at MetLife Stadium, the home of the Giants. ‘Been here before… can’t wait to do it again,’ Wilson wrote on X alongside a picture of MetLife.

The quarterback joined the Denver Broncos in 2022 before moving to the Steelers for the 2024 season. Wilson led Pittsburgh to the playoffs, where they were beaten by the Ravens.

Following the end of his deal, Wilson became a free agent. Earlier on Tuesday, reports claimed that the Giants were ‘less likely’ to target Wilson following their deal for Winston.

The former Buccaneers, Saints and Browns quarterback, 31, signed a two-year deal in New York worth $8million.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll has needed a new No 1 quarterback after another disastrous season that saw Daniel Jones get cut. 

The Giants have long been expected to select a signal caller in the NFL draft.  They hold the No 3 overall pick and Shedeur Sanders – son of legendary Deion Sanders – is among those to have been linked with New York.

Rodgers, meanwhile, met with the Steelers in Pittsburgh last week. 

The 41-year-old has been on the lookout for a new team after it was confirmed that the New York Jets were moving on from the quarterback after two miserable years.

Aaron Rodgers was linked with the Giants after the end of his miserable tenure with the Jets

New York last week signed quarterback Jameis Winston to a two-year, $8million deal 

Wilson’s former Pittsburgh teammate Justin Fields has joined the Jets to replace Rodgers.

Earlier this week, Steelers star Cam Heyward told Rodgers to hurry up and make a decision about his new team.

Speaking on his own podcast, the defensive tackle said: ‘I ain’t doing that darkness retreat. I don’t need any of that c**p.

‘Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t. That’s simple, that’s the pitch.’

Rodgers’ first season with the Jets was ended almost immediately by a torn Achilles. He returned for the 2024 campaign but New York missed out on the postseason after  going 5-12.

Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson are the only two quarterbacks currently listed on the Steelers’ roster.