Russell Wilson has a new home, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a new quarterback, the Denver Broncos are paying for it all, and the NFL world is trying to make sense of the situation.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported late Sunday night that the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback will sign a “team-friendly” one-year deal with the Steelers. The Broncos will reportedly pay $38 million of that salary, with the Steelers picking up $1.5 million.
In a move that surprised no one, the Broncos informed Wilson last week they planned to release him after the start of the new league year on March 13, ending a troubled and controversial two-year run for the veteran QB in Denver.
As fate would have it, the Steelers and Broncos were already scheduled to play a game in Denver next season, which should make things interesting.
The Steelers’ 2024 schedule includes a game in Denver against the Broncos, which now potentially could feature Russell Wilson’s return to play his former team. https://t.co/rnkEcOV0F5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Wilson confirmed the report in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers pic.twitter.com/0U4Q2sRtXs
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) March 11, 2024
Schefter reported that Wilson had a lengthy meeting Friday in Pittsburgh with Steelers representatives, including head coach Mike Tomlin and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Wilson is expected to compete with third-year quarterback Kenny Pickett for the starting spot, according to Schefter. But it’s hard to believe the Steelers, who have struggled offensively in recent years, would bring in a player like Wilson and not start him.
The news rocked the NFL world.
🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛 https://t.co/GBKuaPkxeq
— Ciara (@ciara) 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
His personality fits Pittsburgh perfectly https://t.co/8ZW4BbnKzn
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) March 11, 2024
can’t wait to hear Russ force out a “yinz” somewhere in the first press conference https://t.co/eR1s7HStxT
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) March 11, 2024
There it is https://t.co/IUXGbZKgAa
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 11, 2024
Quick thoughts:
-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— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 11, 2024
Russell Wilson is a Pittsburgh Steeler. Wow. https://t.co/9dVSSGktuG
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) March 11, 2024
It’s happening. #Steelers country … https://t.co/Eh0aira7IH
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) March 11, 2024
He’s gonna take one bite of that sandwich with french fries to try to bond with the community and it’s gonna hit him like a cheesy gordita crunch hitting a Victorian child https://t.co/sPjb7cfrUx
— Kyle Bandujo (@kylebandujo) March 11, 2024
[Adam Schefter, ESPN]
