According to a report by CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, pending free agent quarterback Russell Wilson had a productive meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers shortly after news broke that he would be released by the Denver Broncos.
Anderson noted that Wilson spent extensive time with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Friday, engaging in discussions that stretched over several hours. Prior to the meeting, Wilson had made efforts to connect with some of the Steelers’ players.
The decision by the Broncos to release Wilson comes with a hefty financial cost, as they are set to absorb $85 million in dead cap space. This move follows Wilson being benched for the final two games of his tenure with the Broncos. Despite the setback, Wilson finished the season with respectable numbers, recording 3,070 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 15 games.
Heard Russell Wilson had a great meeting in Pittsburgh so far. I was told he sat with #Steelers OC Arthur Smith ‘for hours’ and that ‘he looked happy.’ I was also told Wilson ‘did his homework’ reaching out to some players in advance, per source.
Mike Tomlin moves like the ‘g’… https://t.co/qAXUm0hMiY pic.twitter.com/yp9IF586L8
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 9, 2024
After the announcement of his impending release, the Broncos granted Wilson permission to explore opportunities with other teams. Wilson’s visit to the Steelers came after a prior meeting with the New York Giants, described as an exploratory session by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In New York, the Giants are seeking to strengthen their quarterback position amid uncertainties surrounding Daniel Jones’s recovery from ACL surgery.
Meanwhile, the Steelers face their own quarterback dilemma, with Kenny Pickett recovering from ankle surgery and Mason Rudolph set to become a free agent. Despite expressing confidence in Pickett, Steelers general manager Omar Khan acknowledged the intention to bring in strong competition.
Russell Wilson’s wealth of experience, including a Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks, could provide valuable guidance to Pickett as he navigates his third NFL season. While the Steelers have been linked to other quarterbacks like Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears, recent reports suggest they may not actively pursue a trade for Fields.
