Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson will join the Pittsburgh Steelers, he announced Sunday night.
Wilson had permission from the Denver Broncos to search for his next NFL team ahead of the 35-year-old quarterback's official release when the new league year begins March 13. And the Steelers were among those he had already visited, spending more than six hours. with the team last Friday.
Wilson will sign a one-year, team-friendly deal with the Steelers, ESPN reports.
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Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos looks on from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on December 31, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Wilson made his intentions known through social media.
“Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers,” he posted on X accompanied by a video of Steelers fans waving their “Terrible Towels” at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
It was always expected that any team that hired Wilson's services wouldn't have to spend a lot of money to do so, as the Broncos still have to pay $38 million of his salary for next season.
And the Steelers were always a team that made sense for Wilson, as they have struggled to find a starting quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Kenny Pickett, the team's first-round pick in 2022, is 14-10 as a starter since he entered the league, but has thrown just 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in those 24 games.
BRONCOS WILL RELEASE RUSSELL WILSON AFTER 2 SEASONS
The quarterback's lack of consistent play led to Mitch Trubisky being an occasional starter over the past two seasons, and Mason Rudolph was under center late in 2023, including the team's playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Therefore, Wilson should head into training camp as the presumptive starter of an offense desperate to break out.
Wilson recently expressed his desire to continue playing for Super Bowl rings after the disaster in Denver. He was benched at the end of the 2023 regular season amid controversy over the injury guarantee in his contract.
December 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, United States; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in action during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
He ended up finishing 7-8 that year, which was better than the inaugural 4-11 campaign he put together in 2022.
The Broncos made their intentions known that Wilson would be on the verge of retiring when the new league year began, even though his release would represent $85 million in dead cap money.
“We spoke with Russell Wilson today to inform him of his release following the start of the league year,” general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton said in a joint statement. “On behalf of the Broncos, we thank Russell for his contributions and dedication to our team and community, while we wish 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 improve through the draft and free agency.”
Going into this next chapter, there should be a completely different offensive look in Pittsburgh next season, especially with Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator under head coach Mike Tomlin.
Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on December 31, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
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Wilson will go to work receiving threats Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth while having a solid running back tandem with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
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