NFL free agency has yet to start, but blockbuster moves are already happening. Less than a week after the Denver Broncos released quarterback Russell Wilson, he’s found a new home. The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed Wilson. What does this mean for Kenny Pickett and the Steelers’ quarterback room?
Russell Wilson’s Contract Details With Pittsburgh
Before the 2022 NFL season, Wilson was traded by the Seattle Seahawks to the Broncos. However, things didn’t go as the Broncos hoped they would. In his two seasons with Denver, he passed for 6,594 yards, 42 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. However, after amassing an 11-19 record, he was benched.
While his benching partially came because of on-field performance, it also came as a result of a contract dispute. The Broncos reportedly asked Wilson to adjust his contract with respect to $37 million he had coming in the form of injury guarantees, or else he would be benched. Wilson wouldn’t give in, resulting in his demotion and subsequent release.
When he was released, Wilson incurred an NFL-record $85 million in dead cap for the Broncos. His release wouldn’t become official until the new league year, which starts on March 13, but he was permitted to immediately begin speaking to new teams. The first team he spoke with was the Steelers.
Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers pic.twitter.com/0U4Q2sRtXs
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) March 11, 2024
Within a few days of that Steelers visit, a deal is now forthcoming, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Wilson is signing a one-year, $1.2 million deal. This means the Steelers will only be responsible for that amount, while Denver will still pay Wilson $37.8 million in 2024 despite having cut ties with him.
Wilson is a one-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and one-time second-team All-Pro. He’s also a nine-time Pro Bowler and has passed for 43,653 yards, 334 touchdowns, and 106 interceptions. He’s also added 5,307 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground.
How Does Russell Wilson Impact Kenny Pickett? Will There Be a QB Controversy?
Going into the offseason, Kenny Pickett was the only quarterback on the Steelers’ roster. The team had cut Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph was an impending free agent, leaving the 2022 first-round pick as the only quarterback on the roster.
Despite his first-round status, Pickett has struggled since entering the NFL. He’s played just 25 games, passing for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. In 2023, he dealt with a handful of injuries before being replaced by Rudolph after Pickett was healthy.
However, despite Pickett’s struggles, Wilson isn’t taking his starting job easily. According to Sports Illustrated, the Steelers view Wilson as a backup to Pickett and also relay that the team continues to have full confidence in the latter. Wilson’s team-friendly contract does nothing to disprove that statement.
MORE: NFL Analyst Not Sure Russell Wilson Would Win Starting Job Over Kenny Pickett
Thanks to his first-round contract, Pickett will make a base salary of $1.9 million in 2024 and $2.6 million in 2025. His cap hits in those respective seasons will be $3.8 million and $4.4 million.
While it’s reported the Steelers still view Pickett as the starter, there’s no guarantee in that regard, either. Wilson will still have opportunities in training camp to take the job for himself or earn it at some point during the season.
Russell Wilson’s Fantasy Impact With the Steelers
Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the Steelers’ pass catchers have underwhelmed in fantasy, largely due to poor quarterback play. Given what we’ve seen from Wilson over the past two seasons, he’s not exactly going to light the world on fire. However, he is unquestionably an upgrade over Pickett, and likely a significant one.
Last season, Wilson was at least able to keep Courtland Sutton’s fantasy value afloat, tossing 10 touchdowns to the Broncos WR1. If the Steelers end up not trading Diontae Johnson, he could very well end up with his best season since 2021, when he averaged 17.2 fantasy points per game.
KEEP READING: Steelers Free Agency Tracker: Signings, Rumors, News, and More
That said, George Pickens far more resembles Sutton, who was clearly Wilson’s preferred target last season. It’s difficult to know if that was because of Sutton’s skill set, or because the alternative was Jerry Jeudy.
Either way, Wilson makes the Steelers’ offense better and gives fantasy managers some hope that both receivers can post top-36 seasons.
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