The ball left Russell Wilson’s hands with perfect precision, floating into the end zone as the AFC sideline erupted. Another touchdown. Another highlight. Another moment of brilliance in a game that didn’t matter. But in Pittsburgh, the cheers never came. Instead, a different sound echoed through Steelers Nation—frustration. Because where was this Wilson when it counted? Where was this fire when the season was on the line?

The Steelers were brimming with talent when the 2024 season started. Justin Fields and Wilson were impressive acquisitions. For most of the season, they had a great run, but towards the end, the drive to win fizzed out. Five straight losses had shattered their hopes, their playoff dreams buried beneath a Ravens rout. And now, watching their quarterback light up a flag football game, all they could do was shake their heads. For Steelers fans, this wasn’t redemption. It was a reminder.

Wilson wasn’t the only one to blame. As any Steelers fan would acknowledge, their receivers had butter fingers at all the wrong moments. Others failed to step up when it mattered most too. Many of these Black and Gold players were in the Pro Bowl. It was the concluding day at the Camping World Stadium, Orlando. The much anticipated NFC vs AFC competition ended 76-63 overall. Even in the flag football game, the NFC won 56-50.

One of the most recognized NFL sibling pairs, Eli & Peyton Manning, was there. Eli was smiling as his NFC roster annihilated elder brother Peyton’s AFC team. Not only the football game, they also came out on top in the skills challenge. First, they defeated their rivals in both rounds of the tug-of-war challenge. Later, they also won the Great Football Race.

However, the highlight of the AFC Pro Bowl lineup was the quarterback, Russell Wilson. He completed 18 of 21 passes for 238 passing yards and 4 TDs. Three of those four TD passes came in the 4th quarter alone. But the game ended with a loss. The manner of their season end was hurting the Steelers fans for quite some time, and they got pissed with the signal caller’s impressive performance.

The Steelers won their last Super Bowl in 2008. Mike Tomlin was in his 2nd year. Since then, they’ve only made one Super Bowl and one AFC Championship appearance. But they have trusted him enough to let him complete 18 seasons as their HC. With Mr. Unlimited on the roster this year, they had hoped their playoff form would finally take off, but it got crushed at the very first hurdle. Hence, they vented their anger after the Pro Bowl.

Fans remind Russell Wilson of playoff failure

The Ravens defeated them 28-14. And the 2 TDs the Steelers scored, came in the 3rd quarter alone. The remaining 3 quarters were point-less. Hence, when they saw the signal caller throwing 3 TDs in the flag football game, one of them tweeted, “To bad that could not be done in a playoff game.”

Another fan brutally roasted the franchise with Russell Wilson by mentioning, “Maybe Steelers should start a flag football league! Our next chance at a playoff win!” Another fan took a mean jibe at the QB for not performing when it was most needed and wrote, “Now he wakes up.”

Even though Mr. Unlimited kept telling his teammates to practice amnesia and get together for a win, they didn’t. Their losing stretch of 4 games appeared very much top of their mind while adding a 5th and getting eliminated. One fan pointed it out and wrote, “Russ … Why couldnt you do that in the last 5 games is what I wanna know.” It left the Steelers in a fix about signing an extension. One person addressed the situation with a tinge of sarcasm by tweeting, “Hell yeah. Give Wilson a blank check. 🙄”

It shows us the real picture of the Blitzburgh fanbase. They are divided over Russell Wilson. Will the Steelers keep him or let him go?