Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson will join the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was announced Sunday night.
Wilson received permission from the Denver Broncos to pursue his next NFL team before officially releasing the 35-year-old quarterback on March 13, the start of the league’s new year. And the Steelers were one of the teams he had already visited and spent more than six hours with. With the team last Friday.
ESPN reports that Wilson will sign a one-year, team-friendly contract with the Steelers.
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Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos watches from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on December 31, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Wilson made his intentions clear via social media.
“13th year. Thank you @Steelers,” he wrote on X, along with a video of Steelers fans waving “terrible towels” at Pittsburgh’s Acrizier Stadium.
The Broncos will have to pay him $38 million of his salary next season, so it was always expected that no matter which team recruited Wilson, they wouldn’t have to spend a lot of money to do so.
And the Steelers have always been a logical team for Wilson, as they have struggled to find a starting quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Kenny Pickett, the team’s first-round pick in 2022, has a 14-10 record as a starter since entering the league, but has thrown just 13 touchdowns and interceptions in 24 games. It’s 13.
Broncos to release Russell Wilson after two seasons
A lack of consistent quarterback play has meant Mitch Trubisky has been an occasional starter the past two seasons, and Mason Rudolph has been the starting center at the end of 2023, including when the team lost in the playoffs to the Buffalo Bills. I was under the.
As such, Wilson should head into training camp as the presumptive starter on an offense desperate for a breakthrough.
Wilson recently expressed a desire to continue playing in a Super Bowl ring following the disaster in Denver. He was benched at the end of the 2023 regular season amid controversy over his contractual injury coverage.
December 3, 2023. Houston, Texas, USA. Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in action during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
He ultimately finished the year with a 7-8 record, which was better than the 4-11 he put together in his first year in 2022.
The Broncos have made it clear that Wilson intends to leave at the start of the new league year, even though his release would create $85 million in dead cap money.
“We spoke with Russell Wilson today and informed him of his release after the start of the league year,” general manager George Payton and head coach Sean Payton said in a joint statement. “On behalf of the Broncos, I would like to thank Russell for his service and dedication to our team and community and wish him the best as he continues his career.”
“Moving forward, we are focused on building the strongest team possible for the 2024 season and beyond. We are excited to improve this offseason and , has the flexibility to get better through the draft and free agency.”
As he enters his next chapter, we should see a completely different offense in Pittsburgh next season, especially with the arrival of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator under head coach Mike Tomlin. .
Russell Wilson No. 3 of the Denver Broncos warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on December 31, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
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Wilson will work with a solid running back tandem in Najee Harris and Jalen Warren while also dealing with the threats of Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth.
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