We now have the first possible landing spot for Russell Wilson.
The Denver Broncos plan to release the veteran quarterback next Wednesday, the official start of the NFL‘s new league year. Denver permitted Wilson to speak with interested teams before his release, and the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly are at the front of the line.
Steelers Reportedly Interested in Russell Wilson
The Steelers clearly need to upgrade at quarterback. Neither Kenny Pickett nor Mason Rudolph are franchise QBs, and the latter is set to hit free agency next week.
Whether Wilson would represent a discernible upgrade over either player is up for debate, but Pittsburgh reportedly is interested in the soon-to-be-former Bronco — and the feeling is mutual.
“Steelers are interested in signing Russell Wilson and are tentatively planning to meet with the former Broncos QB before start of free agency, per sources,” Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote Thursday on the X platform.
Dulac added: “Wilson has interest in joining Steelers.”
At the time of this writing, it wasn’t known whether Wilson had any other meetings planned. Regardless, the Steelers might be an early front-runner for the 35-year-old’s services.
Russell Wilson Coming Off Horrible Season for Broncos
Wilson’s traditional stats weren’t terrible in 2023. In fact, he ranked top 10 in both touchdowns and passer rating while throwing just eight interceptions.
But those numbers don’t tell the full story. The reality is Wilson, who ranked 24th in yards per completion, displayed diminished arm strength before being benched for the final two games of the season.
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Once a dynamic athlete, Wilson was also more jittery in the pocket and less capable of making plays off-script. Basically, he no longer was able to do many of the things that enabled him to make the Pro Bowl in nine of his first 10 seasons.
Nevertheless, Wilson has something left in the tank. And if the Steelers can sign him for cheap money, perhaps as low as the veteran minimum, he’d be an intriguing option for a team with an otherwise solid roster.
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