Russell Wilson gets one-year Steelers deal
Russell Wilson, a former Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback, will sign a teamfriendly, one-year deal with Pittsburgh that will result in his former employer, the Denver Broncos, paying $38 million of his salary, media outlets reported.
Wilson, 35, also reportedly met with the New York Giants before deciding to join up with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Wilson on Sunday posted a video of Steelers fans on X with the caption, “Year 13. Grateful.”
Wilson will join Kenny Pickett, the Steelers’ 2022 first-round pick, as the team’s only quarterbacks under contract. Mason Rudolph started three games and led Pittsburgh to the playoffs in 2023 but is headed to free agency.
The Broncos gave Wilson permission to seek a new employer before they officially release him when the 2024 NFL league year begins Wednesday. The Broncos are facing a huge dead-cap hit of $85 million but can save some money under his new deal.
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Bucs: Baker Mayfield is re-signing with
Tampa Bay on a threeyear, $100 million contract with $50 million guaranteed, multiple outlets reported. The contract includes incentives that could take the contract to as much as $115 million.
Mayfield, 28, split an unsuccessful 2022 season with Carolina and L.A. Rams before catching on with Tampa Bay last year following Tom Brady’s retirement.
Mayfield threw for career highs of 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns with 10 interceptions while starting all 17 games. Tampa Bay won the NFC South and beat Philadelphia in the wild-card round before falling to Detroit.
Bears: Running back
D’Andre Swift agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract. Swift, 25, ran for a career-high 1,049 yards last season for Philadelphia. He had joined the Eagles in an April trade with Detroit. Swift will join a running backs room that includes Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert and Travis Homer . ...
The Bears committed to contribute more than $2 billion to build a new downtown stadium, shifting from plans to construct a facility in suburban Arlington Heights, team president Kevin Warren said. The proposed domed stadium would be publicly owned and situated near Soldier Field, the Bears’ current home. The Bears announced in February 2023 that they finalized a purchase of the 326-acre former Arlington International Racecourse property. They did not start developing it, however. The Bears’ lease at Soldier Field expires in 2033.
Bengals: Wide receiver Tee Higgins requested a trade after being hit with the franchise tag, according to reports. He was set to hit free agency when the Bengals used the tag to retain him, guaranteeing a $21.8 million for the 2024 season. Higgins, 25, completed a four-year, $8.68 million rookie deal he signed as a 2020 second-round pick. The sides have until July 15 if they want to reach a long-term deal.
Eagles: Running back Saquon Barkley switched NFC East clubs, agreeing to a deal with Philadelphia. The former New York Giants standout reportedly agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million deal that could eventually be worth $46.75 million. There is reportedly $26 million in guaranteed money. Last week, the
Giants declined to put the franchise tag on Barkley, the former No. 2 overall draft pick in 2018 who has rushed for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns in 74 games. He also has 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Falcons: Kirk Cousins agreed to leave Minnesota for a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed with Atlanta, the Associated Press reported.
Cousins, 35, and coming off an Achilles tendon injury, gets a $50 million signing bonus and his salaries for ’24 and 2025 are fully guaranteed. Atlanta had a glaring need at quarterback after cycling through Desmond Ridder and Tyler Heinicke last season, and Cousins’ wife, Julie, grew up in Alpharetta, a suburb of Atlanta.
49ers: Defensive lineman Arik Armstead is headed to free agency after he and the team failed to reach a deal. If the 49ers release him after June 1, they will save over $18 million in deadcap money. Armstead, 30, had five sacks and 27 tackles in 12 games last season, his ninth with San Francisco.
Jaguars: Free agent center Mitch Morse agreed to a two-year deal worth $10.5 million with $7 million guaranteed, NFL Network reported. Morse, 31, was released by Buffalo in a salary-cap move last week.
Patriots: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne agreed to re-sign with
New England on a threeyear deal, ESPN reported. His new contract could be worth up to $33 million, and it also features a $4.2 million signing bonus.
Bourne, 28, was limited to eight games last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a loss to the Dolphins on Oct. 29. He had 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns.