Before the actual start of free agency, Russell Wilson put an end to speculation about his 2024 NFL season destination when he announced on Sunday night that he would sign a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per ESPN and NFL Network.
The Denver Broncos stated last week that Wilson, 35, will be released this week when the new league season officially starts on Wednesday. The decision will cost the franchise a record $85 million in dead cap space over the course of the next two seasons.
According to ESPN, the Broncos will foot almost $38 million of the guaranteed money he owes the Steelers for this season as part of a team-friendly agreement.
Wilson appeared to bolster the reports on social media on Sunday night with a post.
On Friday, Wilson was observed passing through Newark International Airport on his way to Pittsburgh. Several reports state that he also had a meeting with the New York Giants.
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In the first round (20th overall) of the 2022 draft, Kenny Pickett was selected by the Steelers. Even though Pickett was able to recover from a late-season ankle injury, Mason Rudolph ended the season as the team’s starter. However, he is scheduled to become a free agency.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan have shown interest in bringing in a rival to challenge Pickett for the top spot.
At the NFL scouting combine, Khan stated, “I have complete faith in Kenny Pickett.” There were undoubtedly some problems with the offense, but I’m looking forward to what Arthur Smith, the new offensive coordinator, will do for him. I’m aware that Arthur has expressed optimism about Kenny, and I also know that they’ve spoken. And we’ll monitor its progress. We are quite pleased with him.
Two years ago, the Broncos acquired Wilson through a trade, and he later inked a five-year, $242 million contract. However, Wilson’s future with the team was called into question after his first season under head coach Nathaniel Hackett was almost completely disastrous and after Wilson’s second season did not go well with new head coach Sean Payton.
Denver talked to Wilson in the middle of the 2023 season about pushing back some of the dates related to his injury guarantees; as a result, the organization decided to sit him for the final two games of the campaign.
