Many assumed the 36-year-old Russell Wilson was on the downswing of his career following his disastrous two-year stint with the Denver Broncos.
Wilson looks like a man reborn this season for the exciting Pittsburgh Steelers. Perhaps riding the wave of his good play, he admitted to ESPN’s Hannah Storm that he’s keen to play “another five to seven years” in the NFL.
Pittsburgh has gone 3-0 with Wilson under center after the veteran replaced Justin Fields following his return from injury. At 7-2, he’s poised to compete for his first Super Bowl title in over a decade.
“I definitely want to play another five to seven years, that’s definitely always been my goal,” Wilson told Storm on Thursday. “I think that’s always been my goal.”
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“I’ve been very clear about that since the beginning. I think that’s always been my mindset,” he continued. “The longevity of the game. I’ve been fortunate to play probably 200-plus games, and I’ve really not missed many. This little calf kind of got me here for a little bit.”
Wilson has completed 58.8 percent of his passes for 737 tards with a sparking 6-1 touchdown-interception ratio in his three starts. His QBR of 59.5 is in line with the rest of his career.
The nine-time Pro Bowler isn’t running as much as he used to – Wilson has just 13 rushing yards. Back in 2014, he scrambled for 840 yards and six touchdowns.
Wilson led the Steelers to a comeback 28-27 victory over the 7-3 Commanders last Sunday (
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Getty Images)
“I feel great. I feel young. I feel still that I can move around out there and make all the decisions and all the throws,” Wilson said. “Throw the ball where I need to throw it.”
He signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract in Pittsburgh this offseason and was originally named the team’s opening-day starter over Fields before suffering a hamstring injury.
Fields led the team to a 4-2 record and many pundits, including Steelers legendary quarterback Terry Bradshaw, tipped him to maintain his starting spot. He’s currently Wilson’s backup.
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When Storm asked Wilson about his plans for next season, he didn’t reveal much about where he’s going to play. “I’ve never really thought past the years most of the time when I’m playing,” he said. “Anybody knows me, I’m so engulfed in the moment, you know?”
“I think it’s so critical to be that way because it’s too hard to think about what’s ahead or what’s behind. It’s just being right here.“You get the hardest position in the world every day. You know, you gotta be in the moment right now.”
Wilson and the 7-2 Steelers will host Lamar Jackson and the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens this Sunday in a game for AFC North supremacy.
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