Russell Wilson’s Free Agency Sweepstakes to Start Early

Soon-to-be-released Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has been permitted to start visiting and talking to teams, with his impending release coming next week. That means teams can officially negotiate with him already, and he gets a headstart on the rest of the free agents, who will not get to talk to teams until at least the legal tampering period in a week.

Of course, it was reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers are not interested in signing Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson this offseason, according to Mike DeFabo of the Athletic. In a new report, DeFabo states that the Steelers’ feelings towards Wilson do not seem to imply they would sign him.

“The Steelers are not interested in signing Wilson in the likely event he’s released by the Denver Broncos, a source familiar with the coaching staff’s feelings on the quarterback at this stage of his career told The Athletic,” DeFabo wrote.

On Tuesday, at the NFL Combine, head coach Sean Payton, and general manager George Paton spoke to the media. During those sessions, it became increasingly clear that Wilson is not expected back in Denver despite his comments over the weekend.

“I’ve got more fire now than ever, and for me, it’s all about winning,” Wilson said on the I Am Athlete Podcast. “I just want to win. I hope it’s in Denver. I hope I get to finish there. I committed there. I wanted to be there. I want to be there. For me, it’s about winning. Over the next five years, I want to win two. I want to feel that trophy again. I love the city and everything else. But you also want to be in a place that wants you.”

Paton stated that no team had called yet to express interest in trading for Wilson, including the Steelers. Payton noted that a decision would be made sometime in the next two weeks. The cap implications are massive, and Wilson would be stated to get $39 million guaranteed if released. But Payton hinted Wilson would leave, and he is now leaving.

Wilson was benched by the Broncos for the stretch run, after a contract dispute between him and the team over his contract guarantee for the 2025 season, and the Broncos are now expected to release him this offseason.

Denver is just two seasons removed from trading for Wilson. The Broncos sent two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant to the Seahawks for Wilson on March 16, 2022.

A Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowler with the Seahawks, Wilson has struggled in Denver. He posted an 84.4 passer rating in 2022, which was by far the lowest mark of his career, and was sacked a league-high 55 times.