Russell Wilson to Sign Steelers Contract in NFL Free Agency After Broncos Release
March 11, 2024
Russell Wilson will get his opportunity for a fresh start with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback will join the AFC North team for the upcoming season:
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterNine-time Pro-Bowl QB and former Super-Bowl champ Russell Wilson plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per league sources. Wilson will sign a team-friendly, one-year deal in which the Broncos will wind up paying $38 million of his salary while Wilson wears the black and… <a href="https://t.co/eqQC8w0tIK">pic.twitter.com/eqQC8w0tIK</a>
Jordan Schultz @Schultz_ReportBREAKING: Russell Wilson is signing with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steelers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Steelers</a>, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BleacherReport</a>.<br><br>The 9x Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champ has a new home. <a href="https://t.co/VXiHxC6Tuf">pic.twitter.com/VXiHxC6Tuf</a>
Wilson then confirmed the news:
Wilson's tumultuous tenure with the Denver Broncos officially came to an end on March 13. The team announced the decision nine days prior to the move, including statements from head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton.
The move had been expected since December when Wilson was benched for the final two games of the 2023 regular season. His release had to happen prior to March 17, which is the date his $37 million salary for the 2025 season would have become fully guaranteed.
While things never came together for Wilson in Denver, the Steelers will be counting on their infrastructure to be able to support him enough to get him back on track.
Last season did at least show that Wilson is a capable starting quarterback. He threw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and completed 66.4 percent of his attempts in 15 starts. It was a far from perfect performance for him or the team, but it was a significant step up from the 2022 campaign.
The Ringer's Danny Kelly noted after the first two games last season that Wilson at least looked closer to the player he was at his peak with the Seattle Seahawks, while acknowledging his success felt different than it did in those past year.
Wilson will turn 36 on Nov. 29. There were only five quarterbacks who started at least one game last season aged 36 or older. Two of the four highest sack-percentage seasons of his career came in the past two years. He's been sacked more than any quarterback in the league during that span.
The Steelers have been struggling to figure out the quarterback position since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement after the 2020 season.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has reported new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith had a "great" meeting with Kenny Pickett early in the offseason.
Even if the Steelers are content to enter 2024 with Pickett as their starter, they found out last season the importance of having a backup who can step in. Mason Rudolph was clearly their best option in 2023 with 719 yards, three touchdowns and a 74.3 completion percentage in four games (three starts).
Pickett hasn't done anything to make the Steelers believe he should be their long-term solution at the position. Next season will presumably be his last, best chance at making that case.
If things don't work out with Pickett, or he fails to impress throughout the preseason and training camp, Wilson offers the Steelers a capable option who can make plays if his number gets called.