Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweeted that the Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in signing veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. They are planning to meet with the quarterback that the Denver Broncos will release once the 2024 NFL league year starts.
The Broncos have informed Wilson of his release two years after trading for him. Denver gave the Seattle Seahawks five draft picks and three players to acquire the nine-time Pro Bowler. However, Wilson’s tenure with the Broncos will end before he plays a snap under his five-year, $242.5 million contract extension.
Steelers are interested in signing Russell Wilson and are tentatively planning to meet with the former Broncos QB before the start of free agency, per sources. Wilson is interested in joining the Steelers. Story in PG forthcoming.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 7, 2024
After releasing the one-time Super Bowl champion, that deal leaves the Broncos with an $85 million dead cap. However, they will designate him as a post-June 1 cut, allowing them to distribute that amount over two seasons.
Regardless of where Wilson plays next season, the Broncos must pay him $39 million in guaranteed money for 2024. However, Denver gets some relief by subtracting the amount of whatever contract Wilson signs this season.
Russell Wilson will likely sign a one-year deal for the league minimum if he plays with the Steelers. That amount corresponds to $1.65 million because he has played at least seven NFL seasons.
But if the Steelers bring him in, Wilson will compete with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph for the starting quarterback role. He will fill the roster spot Mitchell Trubisky vacated after he returned to the Buffalo Bills.
Before potentially joining the Steelers, Russell Wilson has existing ties with the franchise. They co-founded Evolution Advisers with Acrisure, the naming rights sponsor for the team’s home field.
Wilson finished the 2023 season with a 66.4 percent completion percentage (297 of 447) for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He added three rushing touchdowns from 341 yards.
-Lance Fernandez