JUST IN: Steelers Pressed to Sign QB $210 Million
Russell Wilson Could Be Signed by the Steelers for League Minimum
Steelers Pressed to Add QB Russell Wilson for OC Arthur Smith
Jeff Russell Wilson is a huge boost for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith of the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Saturday, who also labeled him a fantastic match.
Early in the summer, the Pittsburgh Steelers were linked to many quarterbacks by the media, although it was before to the hiring of an offensive coordinator by the team.
Since then, the Steelers have appointed Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator, effective January 30. ESPN’s Jeff Saturday stated that Pittsburgh should seriously explore acquiring quarterback Russell Wilson in free agency now that Smith is in place.
On ESPN’s Get Up on February 1, Saturday addressed the other panelists and stated, “Russell Wilson for Arthur Smith would be the best fit and because he wants to play under center.” He’s looking for play action. He’s an accomplished quarterback. Everything that is distinct.
The Steelers are a lot like Seattle after all those years. Large, strong receiver on the outside, little, swift receiver on the inside, strong running game, championship-winning defense. There has been a significant update.
The Denver Broncos benched Wilson for the final two games of the 2023 regular season, but Wilson is not a free agent. Wilson anticipates being released by the Broncos this offseason, according to a December 27 story from Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Russell Wilson Could Be Signed by the Steelers for League Minimum
Although the comparison between Seattle and Pittsburgh on Saturday is reasonable, he is operating under the supposition that Wilson is the same quarterback he was while he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
In short, he’s not.
In 2022, his debut season in Denver, he completed 16 touchdown passes with 11 interceptions, a career low. He recorded 26 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions in the previous campaign. Wilson did not average a career-high 6.9 yards per attempt, though.
It was Wilson’s 35th birthday in November. Even in the unlikely event that Smith’s offense turns out to be his ideal fit, he is not expected to grow any better.
However, Wilson’s peculiar contract arrangement makes him a potentially enticing quarterback free agency for 2024, according to the ESPN panel on Get Up.
As of right now, there are offsets in the deal and a completely guaranteed $39 million this year, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano. This implies that anything he signs for up to $39 million will come back to the Broncos if they cut him, as we anticipate they will, and he signs somewhere else.
“The truth is that this year, you can convince Russell Wilson to play for a minimum salary.”
Wilson shouldn’t care how he receives the $39 million. Either way, the Broncos are giving it to him. It would thus be wise for him to consent to accept the league minimum in 2024 from his new team.
That would open up as many other free agency signings for his future team, maybe the Steelers.
But, it’s crucial to remember that, should Wilson be cut by the Broncos, their contract with him ends in 2024. Wilson was only available to the Steelers for the league minimum for a single season.
Wilson with the Pittsburgh Steelers: How Does It Fit?
There were very precise reasons on Saturday why Wilson will work well with the Steelers and in Smith’s scheme.
It was simplified by his colleague, Domonique Foxworth of ESPN.
According to Foxworth, “I believe that almost everyone fits in Pittsburgh because Mike Tomlin’s personality is consistent with the personality of the Pittsburgh Steelers.” “You arrive and you fit in; it’s similar to the Bill Belichick scenario in that you are aware of what you’re getting into before you arrive.”
The Steelers would also receive a proven quarterback on a low pay.
“When you realize you’re going to pay Russell Wilson league minimum and you don’t have to ask for that much of him, he becomes a lot more attractive,” Foxworth said.
We discuss constructing a system around a low-cost quarterback. You may do the same action around a Super Bowl champion as well as a rookie.
Similar to Ben Roethlisberger, Wilson was a Super Bowl champion in 2013 during his second season. In 2014, he guided the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl.
Over his ten seasons with Seattle, Wilson averaged 7.8 yards per attempt, with a 65% completion rate, 292 touchdowns, and 87 interceptions. With 42 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in two seasons with the Broncos, Wilson has a 63.3% completion rate and averages 7.1 yards per pass.