Russell Wilson declares he will sign a 2024 contract with Pittsburgh Steelers

Russell Wilson, the quarterback who won the Super Bowl, said on Sunday night that he will be joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Denver Broncos gave the 35-year-old quarterback permission to look for a new NFL team before officially releasing him on March 13, the start of the new league season. Among the teams he had already visited were the Steelers, with whom he spent more than six hours this past Friday.

According to ESPN, Wilson will sign a one-year, team-friendly contract with the Steelers.

Wilson used social media to announce his plans.

“13th year. Thank you @Steelers,” he wrote on X, along with a video of Steelers fans waving “terrible towels” at Acresure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

Wilson’s salary of $38 million for the upcoming season remains with the Broncos, thus it was always believed that whichever team wanted to sign wilson would not have to spend a fortune to do so.

Wilson has long felt that the Steelers were a good fit because they have had trouble finding a starter quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. The team’s first-round selection in 2022, Kenny Pickett, has a 14-10 record as a starter since joining the league, but in 24 games, he has only thrown 13 touchdowns to 13 interceptions.

Mason Rudolph started at quarterback at the conclusion of 2023, including the team’s playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, since Mitch Trubisky’s erratic play at the position forced him to take the field on occasion during the previous two seasons.

Thus, Wilson ought to be the team’s expected starter going into training camp for a desperate offense.

Wilson recently stated that, after the disaster in Denver, he still wants to play for Super Bowl rings. In 2023, he was benched at the conclusion of the regular season due to disputes over his contract’s injury guarantee.

He ultimately finished the season with a 7-8 record, which was better than the 4-11 mark he put together in 2022 in his first season.

The Broncos have made it clear that Wilson is scheduled to leave at the beginning of the new league year, but his release will account for $85 million in dead cap money.

General Manager George Payton and Head Coach Sean Payton said in a joint statement: “We spoke with Russell Wilson today to inform of his release after the start of the league year.” “On behalf of the Broncos, we thank Russell for his contributions and dedication to our team and community while wishing him the best as he continues his career.”

“As we move forward, we are focused on building the strongest team possible for the 2024 season and beyond. We are excited to improve this offseason and will have the flexibility to get better through the draft and free agency.”

With Arthur Smith serving as offensive coordinator under head coach Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh’s offense should appear entirely different as he begins this new chapter.

Wilson will have a strong running back combo in Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris, as well as receiving threats in Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Pat Freiermuth.