Following his expensive departure from the Denver Broncos, veteran quarterback Russell Wilson announced Sunday evening that he intends to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Wilson is set to sign a team-friendly, one-year deal to play for the Steelers in 2024 which ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports is worth $1.2 million. Wilson will also be collecting $38 million from the Broncos as part of his release earlier this month.
Wilson will get a fresh start in Pittsburgh and will have the opportunity to start, with Kenny Pickett likely destined for a backup role.
It seems things moved quickly between the 35-year-old and the Steelers after the two sides met on Friday. Free agency is set to officially get underway when the new league year begins on March 13, marking the first day teams can sign players, but the two sides have locked down a deal ahead of time.
The NFL world weighed in on Pittsburgh’s addition of the nine-time Pro Bowler on social media, with plenty of intrigue surrounding the signing.
Quick thoughts:
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 11, 2024
-This is an upgrade at A+ value
-Wilson still throws a beautiful go ball—Pickens obviously a beneficiary
-RW has sufficient mobility to add option element to strong run game
-Arthur Smith’s offense built around attacking the MOF…not Russ’ strength https://t.co/uMhoMgB382
Russell Wilson wanted two things.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) March 11, 2024
1. Competitive team.
2. Chance to start
He gets both in Pittsburgh.
Steelers want to win a playoff game. You can feel angst of their drought. Wilson will give them that chance. #Steelers
Russell Wilson is not great...
— Big Game Bengal (@BengalYouTube) March 11, 2024
but he is better than what Pittsburgh had
For that price tag (1.2M) you may as well try
I think the Steelers could be a playoff team so it feels like a no brainer for them
Give the Steelers a right tackle (Amarius Mims?) in Round 1, a cornerback in Round 2, and let's ride.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 11, 2024
For real--Russ is an upgrade at an amazing value. And this team won 10 games last year with a bottom 5 passing attack.
We didn’t have to trade draft picks. We got him for Peanuts. Thanks Denver. Bring that Corny mfer to the Steel City. Idc. I just wanna win football games and Russ Wilson brings that to the Steelers. Hell yes. Im having a victory smoke.
— Kevin Adams (@KevinAdams26) March 11, 2024
russell wilson and arthur smith has the potential to be the funniest offense in the nfl.
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) March 11, 2024
Russell Wilson is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers as reported by @AdamSchefter. Love it for Russ. Puts him in a Seattle type situation. Tough division, top 10 scoring defense, strong running game with a play action pass base with Arthur Smith at OC. Hate it for Kenny Pickett
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 11, 2024
Denver is paying Wilson 38 million to play in Pittsburgh… let that sink in for a second https://t.co/3eL9Zp4Q1e
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 11, 2024