Russell Wilson to meet with AFC team as they consider replacing first-round pick
Veteran NFL quarterback Russell Wilson is in talks with two NFL teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, over a possible contract. After being told by the Denver Broncos that he would be let go when the free agency period starts, Wilson has been looking at his options.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the teams interested in the 35-year-old player, are planning to meet with him next week, according to the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette.
This interest in Wilson might mean that Pittsburgh isn't sure if Kenny Pickett, who they picked in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, can lead them to the Super Bowl or even a playoff win. It could also mean that Mason Rudolph's time with the Steelers is coming to an end.
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Rudolph, who is a free agent, has said he would like to come back if he could compete for the starting quarterback position. He did a good job after Pickett hurt his ankle in Week 13 and helped the Steelers get to the playoffs.
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If Wilson joins the team, though, Rudolph will probably look at alternative options, no matter what role the former Broncos quarterback takes on. Right now, Wilson could either be the backup to Pickett or he could take over as the main quarterback.
If the 35-year-old, who turns 36 in November, beats out Pickett for the starting signal-caller spot, it would give head coach Mike Tomlin a veteran leader who knows what it takes to get the team to the next level. However, should Pickett beat out Wilson, the latter could be a mentor to the former as he continues his development.
Russell Wilson went 11-19 in his 30 games with the Denver Broncos (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Whatever the case might be, Wilson certainly has options available to him as he looks to start over on a new team. Earlier in the week, the Broncos informed Wilson that he would be released in the coming days, with the franchise looking at different options at the quarterback position.
Denver will incur an $89 million hit in dead cap charges over the next two seasons after deciding to cut Wilson. That said, the news of Wilson's release was not a shock, as the writing was on the wall that the partnership between the player and the organization had eroded beyond repair.
Wilson claimed the Broncos threatened to bench him for the final nine games of the 2023 NFL season if he did not alter the $37 million injury guarantee in his contract. He played seven more games before head coach Sean Payton ultimately decided to bench him for the last remaining games of the season.
Despite how his tenure with the Broncos ended, having won 11 of 30 games with Denver, there could be something left in the tank, as evidenced by his play in the 2023 season.
Despite a tough 2022 season, Wilson managed to throw for 3,070 yards with 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions last year. He also scored three rushing touchdowns, marking a comeback year for the experienced player.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story
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