It’s happening. The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing quarterback Russell Wilson.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported late on March 10 that the Steelers agreed with a 1-year deal with Wilson.
“Nine-time Pro-Bowl QB and former Super-Bowl champ Russell Wilson plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per league sources,” Schefter wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Wilson will sign 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…”
Nine-time Pro-Bowl QB and former Super-Bowl champ Russell Wilson plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per league sources. Wilson will sign 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… pic.twitter.com/eqQC8w0tIK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported that the 1-year deal will be for the league minimum.
“Wilson will sign for the veteran minimum,” Dulac wrote on X. “Deal cannot be signed until Wednesday when free agency begins.”
QB Russell Wilson ‘Plans to Sign’ With Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers had been connected to several different quarterbacks this offseason. But Wilson was one of the three targets, along with Justin Fields and Kirk Cousins, speculated the most as a Steelers target.
On March 7, Dulac reported the Steelers were “interested in signing” Wilson and planned to meet with him on March 8. Wilson met with the New York Giants prior to his Steelers meeting. Schefter also reported that Wilson was going to potentially meet with the Las Vegas Raiders.
But late on March 10, Wilson elected to join the Steelers.
The 35-year-old signal caller has posted a 115-72-1 record in his career as a 9-time Pro Bowler. In 2015, he led the NFL in passer rating, and in 2017, he was first in the league in passing touchdowns.
He threw a career-high 40 touchdowns with 4,212 passing yards while leading the Seattle Seahawks to a 12-4 record in 2020. Wilson also led the Seahawks to back-to-back NFC championships and a Super Bowl title from 2013-15.
However, the past three seasons have been rough for the veteran quarterback. He posted his first losing season during his final year in Seattle during 2021. Then in 2022, he led the Broncos to a 4-11 mark.
Wilson faired better in 2023, throwing for 26 touchdowns. Steelers quarterbacks threw just 13 touchdowns last season.
But Wilson’s downfield connections were much more limited. He averaged 6.9 yards per pass, which was not only a career-low but 0.8 yards per attempt lower than his career average.
Granted, Steelers quarterbacks averaged 6.8 yards per pass in 2023.
Will Wilson Have to Compete With QB Kenny Pickett?
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stressed during his postseason press conference on January 18 that Kenny Pickett would have to compete for the starting job next season. When asked whether the team’s 2024 starting quarterback was already on the roster, though, Tomlin answered, “yes.”
However, that plan seems to be going out the window with Wilson’s signing.
“Pittsburgh made it clear that it was bringing in competition for Kenny Pickett,” Schefter told Scott Van Pelt on late-night edition of SportsCenter, via Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora. “I think Russell Wilson doesn’t go anywhere that he doesn’t think that he isn’t gonna be the starter.
“Now, he’s gonna have to go and earn it and he’s gonna have to play well. But Russell Wilson is ultra-confident in his abilities and what he will bring to that franchise. You’re talking about a guy that’s been to nine Pro Bowls. Who has won the Super Bowl.”
The Steelers might be able to sell a Pickett-Wilson competition to some because of Wilson’s cheap contract. But few will believe anything the Steelers brass has to say about Pickett the rest of the offseason after general manager Omar Khan voiced “full faith” in him only 11 days before signing Wilson.
