Russell Wilson’s first NFL cease was phenomenal, as he performed at a close to Corridor of Fame degree for the Seattle Seahawks. Then Wilson’s two seasons with the Denver Broncos went so poorly, it’s going to go down among the many worst trades and contracts in NFL historical past.
We’ll see what the third act brings. Wilson introduced on social media Sunday that he plans to signal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, confirming a number of media studies. Phrases of the deal weren’t introduced however ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported it was a one-year deal by which the Broncos will even be paying $38 million of Wilson’s 2024 wage.
What to anticipate from Wilson in Pittsburgh
Two years in the past when the Broncos traded for Wilson, there was numerous pleasure over what was to come back. This time round, no person is aware of what’s going to occur subsequent.
Wilson could not have discovered a significantly better state of affairs to show his profession again round. The Steelers are a perennial winner coming off one other playoff journey. They’ve expertise on either side of the ball and a revered head coach in Mike Tomlin.
What they did not have was a solution at quarterback. The Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett within the first spherical two years in the past, and the signing of Wilson signifies the workforce has soured on that experiment. They get a veteran choice at quarterback with loads of success in his previous and a Tremendous Bowl ring as nicely.
The Steelers did not have numerous wage cap house however that wasn’t an issue with Wilson as a result of the Broncos owed him a big 2024 wage. And due to offset language, Wilson might signal for the veteran minimal together with his new workforce. It is a good match for either side. It is a risk-free acquisition for the Steelers and an opportunity for Wilson to alter his legacy once more.
Russell Wilson improved final season
The chorus after the Broncos landed Sean Payton to be their head coach a 12 months in the past was that he was answerable for fixing Wilson. And in some methods, he did.
Wilson was significantly better final season than he was for Nathaniel Hackett in 2022. Hackett was in method over his head as an NFL head coach and the whole lot about that Broncos workforce was terrible, together with Wilson. Wilson regarded like one of many worst quarterbacks within the NFL final season.
Wilson did not play as much as what the Broncos gave up for him in a commerce or the contract extension he signed — the Broncos determined to chop him and eat an $85 million lifeless salary-cap hit, in any case — however he was higher. His completion proportion rose from 60.5 in 2022 to 66.4 final season. He threw for 26 touchdowns, up from 16 the 12 months earlier than. He lower his interceptions from 11 to eight. His passer ranking was 98, after posting an 84.4 underneath Hackett.
He wasn’t all the best way again to the participant who made 9 Professional Bowls in 10 Seahawks seasons, however it was higher. Ok that he’ll get one other shot at age 35 to rewrite his legacy.