The Russell Wilson experience for the Pittsburgh Steelers was a wild ride for one season. After joining the team with plenty of hype, he made his debut in Week 7 and hit the ground running. With a 10-3 record, it looked like head coach Mike Tomlin had done it again.
But things fell apart fast. Five straight losses ended their season. Now, this offseason, the Steelers have chosen to move on from both of last year’s quarterbacks (Wilson and Justin Fields). Wilson is now a member of the New York Giants, but he had a heartfelt message for one player from his time in Pittsburgh.
Russell Wilson’s Heartwarming Message for George Pickens
After a long run with the Seattle Seahawks and two seasons with the Denver Broncos, Wilson was looking for a new home in 2024. The Steelers came calling, and early on, he was electric.
In his first seven games, the team went 6-1, and it felt like the former Super Bowl champ was back in top form. But his production — and the team’s success — dropped off in the second half, ending in the Wild Card Round. The Steelers finished with the 21st-best offense in the NFL, per PFSN’s Offense+ metric.
In his only year with Pittsburgh, Wilson threw for 2,482 yards in 11 games, averaging a little over 225 yards per game with 16 touchdowns. One of his favorite targets quickly became George Pickens and the deep “moon ball.”
Pickens, a 2022 draft pick, had a strong year leading the team with 900 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The two connected right away, and the chemistry was easy to see.
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As Wilson heads to New York — potentially as a mentor for a rookie quarterback the Giants could draft in 2025 — he sent a simple but heartfelt message to his favorite target from last season.
On Instagram, Wilson shared a story of their highlights together and wrote, “Gunna miss you lil bro! God’s got you!”
While Wilson moves on, Pickens and the Steelers are still without a quarterback. All signs point to Pittsburgh having serious interest in Aaron Rodgers, and talks seem to be picking up. But there’s also buzz about Pickens’ future.
Some speculate that the Steelers might trade Pickens. One key insider even urged the front office to think about the return they’d get for the talented but outspoken wide receiver. As a deep threat, the Georgia alum could be a game-changer for any team.
Who knows? If the Giants surprise people this season, maybe there’s a reunion between Wilson and Pickens in New York.