The Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Russell Wilson have begun preliminary extension talks, according to the veteran passer.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation might be football’s best illustration of the illusion of free choice.

Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are set to be free agents in March, providing the opportunity to reset the room. But with the 21st pick and an underwhelming group of passers in free agency, returning one – if not both – makes some amount of uninspiring sense.

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin congratulates quarterback Russell Wilson at Acrisure Stadium.

Both made decent arguments to remain in Pittsburgh, too. Fields got the first chance to start, went 4-2, and looked like he had taken steps as a passer from his days with the Chicago Bears. Wilson quickly put those flashes to rest, rebounding in his own right after winning six of his first seven starts.

On “The Pat McAfee Show,” Wilson teased a potential contract extension with the Steelers and was adamant in his hopes to return after playing the 2024 season on a league-minimum deal.

“I think first of all, yes, we have been starting to talk a little bit, obviously, and we’ve had our meetings and everything else, and kind of just getting into it,” he said.

There are reasons to be hesitant about bringing either quarterback back in 2025. Fields couldn’t earn enough trust to replace Wilson during the team’s five-game losing streak – what has since changed that math to prefer him over Wilson? Wilson, of course, presided over that streak, struggling down the stretch before flatlining in a 28-14 playoff loss.

In bringing Wilson back, Pittsburgh would be banking on upgrading the supporting cast – albeit with a more expensive contract under center – to help elevate the offense.

It isn’t immediately clear how much Wilson’s contract would cost. His replacement with the Seattle Seahawks, Geno Smith, is making $25 million for superior play. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is making $33.3 million per year and Kirk Cousins got $45 million per year on the open market coming off an Achilles tear.

Whatever the dollar amount comes to, the Steelers would likely have the flexibility to get out of the deal after each season. Wilson, meanwhile, hopes he can walk away on his terms.

“I got so much more in me, man,” Wilson said. “I’m excited, obviously, my goal is to be with the Pittsburgh Steelers a long time and hopefully finish my career there.”