Steelers' Russell Wilson Makes Controversial Statement About 10th Pro Bowl Appearance

The Pittsburgh Steelers finished their season in nightmare fashion, losing five straight games to close out the year. Russell Wilson played a big part in the Steelers' collapse, and while it wasn’t entirely his fault, he also wasn’t the solution. With the sting of such a brutal finish still fresh in the minds of Steelers fans, seeing Wilson at the Pro Bowl has been a tough pill to swallow. Many feel like it wasn't truly earned such as JJ Watt.

Wilson was named to his 10th Pro Bowl after several quarterbacks opted out, a selection that many fans view as meaningless given his underwhelming 2024 season. While it’s always nice to see Steelers players represented, the way the season ended has made it difficult to celebrate. The Pro Bowl, once a prestigious honor, now feels like a watered-down consolation prize rather than an achievement truly earned.

With Wilson’s future in Pittsburgh uncertain, his comments about being 'blessed' to be at the Pro Bowl are likely to rub fans the wrong way. Many are still frustrated over his struggles late in the season and the team’s overall failure down the stretch. Instead of focusing on personal accolades, fans would rather see accountability and a clear plan to ensure 2025 doesn’t end in the same disastrous fashion. Wilson spoke about him being blessed to make his 10th Pro Bowl.

"It’s a blessing," Wilson said. "I remember being here my rookie year and being around guys like Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton and Eli Manning. And I remember how grateful I was. Ten Pro Bowls later, it’s still a blessing."

First and foremost, Wilson is naturally a very positive guy. He’s always optimistic and finds a way to say something encouraging in every situation. Being named to the Pro Bowl, regardless of the circumstances, is something he’s naturally going to be grateful for. It’s not entirely fair to criticize him for making a standard, appreciative comment.

However, the bigger issue is Wilson’s uncertain future in Pittsburgh. He’s not under contract for 2025, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be back with the Steelers next season. Rumors have already linked him to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he could reunite with his former head coach, Pete Carroll. Given how the season ended, it seems many Steelers fans have already moved on from Wilson.

Steelers' Wilson Played A Role In The Losing Streak In 2024

Steelers fans would have preferred a response that acknowledged the team’s struggles down the stretch and Wilson’s role in them. A commitment to returning in 2025 and helping turn things around would have gone a long way. Of course, that’s a lot to expect from someone as naturally optimistic as Wilson, but from the fans’ perspective, his Pro Bowl comments feel out of touch with the frustration surrounding the team.

Wilson didn’t truly earn a Pro Bowl spot—he only made it because several star quarterbacks opted out. Steeler Nation has little patience for personal accolades when the team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. The quarterback who was expected to help break that drought fell short, and for many fans, that’s the only thing that matters right now.

Wilson did step up after the brutal losses and took accountability. He consistently said the right things and carried himself as a stand-up player in his first season in Pittsburgh. There was no doubt that he fully bought in and did everything he could to help the Steelers succeed. While his struggles down the stretch weren’t entirely his fault, he still played a role in the team’s collapse.

Given how the season ended, Steelers fans aren’t going to be thrilled to see him so upbeat just weeks after such a crushing finish. Whether that frustration is fair or not, it’s an understandable reaction from a fan base that has been waiting far too long for postseason success. Something they would assume Wilson carries if he truly wants to be part of the solution in 2025.

#SteelerNation