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The Pittsburgh Steelers delivered quite the shocking news to the NFL world on the eve of free agency.
Russell Wilson @DangeRussWilson
Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers pic.twitter.com/0U4Q2sRtXs
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Sunday that the AFC North team agreed to a deal with Russell Wilson after he was released by the Denver Broncos. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it is 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 yellow.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the deal will cost Pittsburgh $1.2 million. Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette noted the Broncos will be on the hook for $37.79 million next season.
According to Over The Cap, the team has $18.4 million in overall team cap space.
Schefter also noted the veteran quarterback met with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for more than six hours on Friday.
Kenny Pickett is the only other quarterback on Pittsburgh’s current roster with Mason Rudolph heading to free agency, so Wilson knows exactly who his competition will be for the starting spot.
Here is a look at the Steelers’ depth chart for their offensive skill players:
QB: Russell Wilson, Kenny PickettRB: Najee Harris, Jaylen WarrenWR: George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, Calvin Austin III, Dez Fitzpatrick, Duece WattsTE: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington
Things did not go according to plan for Wilson during his two seasons with the Broncos.
But he should still beat out Pickett for the starting job.
After all, Pickett is far from the reason the Steelers made the playoffs last season with six touchdown passes to four interceptions. He has been inconsistent at best to start his career and now faces a potential future Hall of Famer in a battle for the No. 1 spot.
Wilson’s resume includes a Super Bowl title, nine Pro Bowl appearances and four seasons with more than 4,000 passing yards. Even in 2023, which was largely considered a mediocre-to-down season for him, he completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
The ceiling is higher in Pittsburgh with Wilson under center compared to Pickett.
The defense and playmakers such as George Pickens and Najee Harris will likely still carry the team for much of the season, but there is a reason the Steelers chose Wilson this offseason.
And it wasn’t to sit on the bench.
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