Steelers a possible Russ suitor
There is hope for Russell Wilson as his official Broncos release nears.
The Super Bowl-winning quarterback — who will be released from the Broncos after the start of the new league year March 13 following two disappointing seasons in Denver — is on the Steelers’ radar, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Thursday, “and are tentatively planning to meet” with Wilson before free agency begins.
Wilson also “has interest in joining the Steelers,” per the report.
The Broncos are allowing Wilson to talk to teams ahead of Monday, when the tampering period begins ahead of free agency. Thursday’s news comes on the heels of a separate Wilson report that suggested some of the “quarterback-needy” teams don’t view him as an “option.”
“I spoke to multiple quarterback-needy teams ... and all of them told me, right now, guys, that Russell Wilson is not an option in terms of the things they’re looking at to fill their opening,” NFL Network’s James Palmer reported this week.
Though it’s still early in the offseason, with free agency opening next week and the draft in late April, Palmer added in a Thursday post on X of Wilson’s market: “There isn’t much of one right now.”
It’s been a dizzying few days for Wilson, who was told by Broncos brass Monday that they’ll be parting ways with him as Denver swallows a dead-cap hit of $85 million.
“On behalf of the Broncos, we thank Russell for his contributions and dedication to our team while wishing him the best as he continues his career,” the Broncos said in a statement. “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.”
The Broncos and Wilson are just two years removed from a blockbuster trade with the Seahawks that sent the quarterback to Denver.
In 2022 — the same year the Broncos signed Wilson to a monster five-year extension worth more than $242 million — the quarterback posted the worst completion percentage of his career (60.5) and a career-low in touchdowns (16).
Though Wilson and the Broncos improved this past season under new head coach Sean Payton, Denver is starting anew — as is Wilson. Perhaps Pittsburgh could provide that fresh start as its quarterback situation is also in flux.
The Post-Gazette reported last month how there “appears to be some internal division that maybe Mason Rudolph should be the starter” following an impressive stretch run to the playoffs amid Kenny Pickett’s ankle injury.
Pickett, the Steelers’ firstround pick in 2022, has not yet established himself as the team’s long-term answer at the position, throwing for 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 25 games.
Rudolph, who was selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2018 draft, is set to be a free agent.