Report: Steelers May Target Russell Wilson in Free Agency

The Russell Wilson saga has captivated the entire NFL as the Broncos seem poised to move on from him, leading him into free agency and going to his third team. But what NFL team will leap Wilson after two years of poor play? According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, it could be the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Appearing on Sportscenter, Fowler mentioned the Steelers as one of many teams that will look into landing Wilson, and that people around the league believe they could be in the sweepstakes.

“He’s gonna have a market,” Fowler said. “I’ve talked to people who believe Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New England, a lot of teams who could use a good veteran who still has played relatively well this year.”

You can certainly argue the last part. The box score looks good, but Wilson, on tape, has not played well, and will likely cost a pretty penny.

The Steelers have 8/1 odds to be Wilson’s team in Week 1 of the 2024 season, according to odds posted by Bet Online on Thursday. That’s tied for the fifth-best odds. 

The Minnesota Vikings, who appear likely to lose Kirk Cousins to free agency, are the top team on the list, with 5/1 odds. They’re followed by the New England Patriots (6/1), Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders (7/1) and then the Steelers, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants at 8/1.

The Broncos will absorb a gigantic salary cap hit if they move on from Wilson, but they can minimize it if they release him with a post-June 1 designation. That would still deal them a $34 million dead cap charge over each the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Of course, it remains to be seen if the Steelers will be in the quarterback market this offseason. Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky are both under contract to the team for 2024. The Steelers have played three different quarterback and appear set to start Mason Rudolph for the second straight week this Sunday. They enter Week 17 at 27th in the league in passing.