Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson has vowed that he’s not done playing, despite his benching by the New York Giants — but won’t ask for a trade.
Wilson was replaced by head coach Brian Daboll, who is inserting first-round rookie Jaxson Dart into the starting lineup for the Giants’ Week 4 home game against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday.
Speaking with the New York media on Wednesday, Wilson acknowledged that he still wants to play, but said his current focus is on helping the Giants and Dart be their best, not looking for another opportunity.
“For me, personally, I’m not done,” Wilson said. “I’ve got so much belief in myself and I know what I’m capable of. I believe I was able to show it, especially on the road in Dallas.”
"For me personally, I'm not done. I've got so much belief in myself and I know what I'm capable of. I know I can help this football team if that comes up."
– Russell Wilson pic.twitter.com/ULlDW9k4st
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) September 24, 2025
Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants’ overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. Last week, though, he was 18 of 32 for 160 yards and was booed by the home crowd at MetLife Stadium in a dismal 22-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite that, and the fact that a half-dozen teams are now dealing with significant quarterback injuries, Wilson said he won’t ask to be dealt.
“I’m focused on helping this team win,” he said. “I’m focused on helping Jaxson. . . . I want to be here. I love this organization, I love the process of it all. I love the guys in the locker room. I’m not giving up on us and this season.”
The Steelers should be rooting for Wilson to be traded — and so should his accountant. His one-year contract with the Giants has just $10.5 million in base salary, but another nearly $10 million in potential incentives. Right now, it doesn’t appear that he’ll reach any of those incentives.
Not only is that a blow for Wilson financially, it will impact the Steelers’ compensatory pick situation for the 2026 NFL Draft. Wilson is currently expected to bring a fifth-round pick back to Pittsburgh after signing elsewhere in free agency, but that could dramatically increase if he reached his contract incentives.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Russell Wilson Speaks after Benching, Won’t Demand Trade
