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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.

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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.

After Serving His Sentence, Former Raiders First-Round Pick Announces Desire to Join Detroit Lions — Willing to Start Over as a Rookie Lions for a Chance to Return to the NFL
This morning, the NFL world was once again shaken when Henry Ruggs III, the former first-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, spoke out for the first time since completing his sentence — and made a shocking statement that immediately sent ripples through the league. Ruggs, who was once considered one of the fastest and most talented young wide receivers in football, declared that he is determined to continue his career and is solely focused on joining the Detroit Lions, even if it means starting over completely as a rookie with the team. Now 26 years old, Ruggs spoke with quiet determination, a stark contrast to the excessive scrutiny of his past. “I know what I’ve done, and I know what I’ve lost,” he said through his representative on Tuesday morning. “If I’m allowed to return to the football field, I’m ready to start over. If that means starting as a rookie with the Lions, with no guarantees and no promises — I’ll accept it. I just want a chance.” This announcement comes at a critical moment for Detroit, a team known for offering second chances — but only to those who prove they’re willing to rebuild their lives with discipline, humility, and relentless work ethic. While the Lions have not publicly commented, internal discussions are said to acknowledge the complexity: Ruggs' raw talent is undeniable, but the shadow of the tragic DUI crash in 2021 still looms over any organization considering him. Despite this, Ruggs remains steadfast in his desire to join Detroit. According to those close to him, he sees the Lions' culture — one that has been built on toughness, resilience, and the leadership of new head coach Dan Campbell — as the perfect environment to rebuild both his career and his identity. “If I’m going to fight to come back,” Ruggs said, “I want to do it with a team where every inch of ground has to be earned. That’s Detroit.” NFL analysts immediately pointed out that if allowed to return by the league, Ruggs' options would be very limited. The most realistic path is to start as a true rookie with the Lions, accepting the lowest possible salary and proving himself from day one. Whether Detroit will consider this possibility remains unclear. But Ruggs' statement — born from humility, desperation, and the belief that redemption must be earned, not given — has sparked a nationwide debate: Can a first-round talent who fell from grace truly work his way back in a league that once believed he could become a star? For now, Ruggs is waiting. Training alone. Hoping. And preparing, in his own words, "to start from zero if necessary."