Just One Hour After Being Released by Steelers, Talented Rookie QB With 8,394 Career Yards Shockingly Expresses Desire to Return — Ready to Sign a “Lifetime Deal” to Chase Super Bowl Glory
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – 12/17/2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to move on from John Rhys Plumlee came quietly, the kind of late-season depth move that often passes without much notice. But less than one hour later, the story took an unexpected turn. The physically gifted rookie quarterback, owner of 8,394 total yards in his college career, publicly voiced his desire to return to Pittsburgh, even expressing a willingness to commit long-term if given the chance.
Plumlee, 24, is not easily defined by a single position. Signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft, he served as the team’s fourth quarterback during training camp while also being tested as a wide receiver, kick returner, and punt returner. Pittsburgh saw him as a true athlete — fast, explosive, and versatile — even as his path to a permanent NFL role remained uncertain.
After being released by the Steelers in August 2024, Plumlee bounced between the Jaguars and the Seahawks. In Seattle, he made the rare decision to fully transition from quarterback to wide receiver in order to compete for a roster spot, a move that highlighted his willingness to adapt at any cost. Though he was ultimately waived with an injury designation during final cuts, the experience reshaped how Plumlee viewed both his career and his purpose in the league.
When the Steelers brought him back to the practice squad in late October and re-signed him again on November 18, many around the league viewed it as a temporary solution for practice preparation. For Plumlee, however, Pittsburgh was never just another stop.
“Pittsburgh isn’t just where I was given an opportunity — it’s where my heart belongs,” Plumlee said. “This is where I learned who I have to be to survive in the NFL. If I’m given the chance to come back, I’d sign a lifetime contract, not for a role or a title, but because I believe this is the team that can take me to the Super Bowl.”
As the Steelers continue searching for long-term stability at quarterback, Plumlee’s words strike at the core of what the franchise has long valued: competition, resilience, and refusal to quit. He isn’t asking for a starting job or special treatment. His message is simple — he just wants a door left open.
The Steelers have not issued an official response. But in a league where depth, versatility, and mentality often define late-season success, the door on John Rhys Plumlee may not be fully closed. And sometimes, the road to the Super Bowl doesn’t begin with a blockbuster contract — it begins with a player who refuses to disappear.
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