Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers Have Mutual Interest

Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos were on course to part ways after Wilsons benching in week 17 of the 2023 season for backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham. When Sean Payton took the job to lead the Broncos it seemed like an ideal fit for Wilson who was coming off his worst season as a starter in 2022, only throwing for 16 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, and for a total of 3,524 passing yards.

Needless to say, year 2 for Russell Wilson didn’t go quite as hoped for either. It did seem like Wilson got somewhat back to form going for 26 touchdowns to 9 interceptions for 3,070 passing yards in 2023, but Denver was sitting at 7-8 on the outside of the playoffs. With that being said, it started to look like a new home would be on the horizon for Russell Wilson.

Russell Wilson Looks for New Home. Pittsburgh?

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 2023 campaign didn’t go as planned either. Starting the season off with 2022 first round pick, Kenny Pickett, who only gave them 12 games started for 6 touchdowns and 2,070 passing yards wasn’t ideal. In week 13 Kenny Pickett sustained an injury that would ultimately end his season.

Mike Tomlin having to go to Mitch Trubisky after the injury didn’t make things better for Pittsburgh. After losing to two teams combined for 3 wins on the year at home back-to-back weeks, left the Steelers no longer in a playoff spot.

Mason Rudolph Set to be Free Agent

Having only one option left, Mike Tomlin turned to six-year veteran Mason Rudolph. Rudolph came in and gave them a much-needed spark at the helm helping them win all three of their final games to finish 10-7. Ultimately, the Steelers season ended in Buffalo on Wild Card weekend. With Mitch Trubisky with Buffalo and Mason Rudolph a pending free agent, The Steelers sit in the 2024 offseason as of now with just one quarterback on the roster.  Kenny Pickett.

On March 7th, 2024, Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported the franchise having interest in signing Wilson and are planning on meeting with him in the foreseeable future. Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara, a grammy winning musical artist, are partners in Evolution Advisers, a joint venture formed by Acrisure, who holds the naming rights to the Pittsburgh Steelers stadium. Wilson was given a five year, 246.5-million-dollar deal by Denver. Now with his pending release, Denver will take a 85-million-dollar cap hit. That means, Wilson could sign for the veteran minimum, given that he will be owed 40 million in 2024.

The #Steelers are set to meet with QB Russell Wilson according to @gerrydulac

— SteelerNation (@steelernation) March 7, 2024

Russell Wilson and Steelers have 'mutual interest' and plan to meet before free agency, per @gerrydulac pic.twitter.com/f5zNbcX3BW

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 7, 2024

The Steelers have not had a 20 plus touchdown passer since 2021 when future hall of famer, Ben Roethlisberger retired. The Steelers offense has only put up 24 passing touchdowns in the last two years combined. Signing a seasoned super bowl winning veteran like Russell Wilson would mean the Steelers are having lingering concerns with soon to be three-year player, Kenny Pickett and are ready to look elsewhere.

This type of signing could give the Steelers something they’ve needed. A young offense lead by Najee Harris, George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, and company could be very intriguing along with playing for a coach in Mike Tomlin might be something Wilson can’t pass up. The new league year is set to be March 13th where players are free to sign in the free agency period.

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