Following a pair of disappointing seasons featuring Kenny Pickett as the starting quarterback, the Pittsburgh Steelers opted for a surprising strategy last offseason by signing veteran quarterback Russell Wilson after his release from the Denver Broncos.
Having endured two challenging years in Denver without reaching the playoffs, Wilson appeared to be past his prime.
Despite this, he managed to lead the Steelers to an 11-6 record this season, though they faced a tough defeat in the wild-card round against the Baltimore Ravens.
With Wilson set to enter free agency, speculation is rife regarding his future with Pittsburgh and the team’s overall direction at the quarterback position.
ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio indicated that it is unlikely Wilson will don the black and yellow next season, according to 93.7 The Fan.
Originally, Wilson enjoyed a successful tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, where he secured a Super Bowl victory in the 2013 season, but by 2021, the franchise was struggling.
He was traded to the Broncos in the spring of 2022 in exchange for five draft picks, along with players Noah Fant, Drew Lock, and Shelby Harris, leading many to believe the Broncos had positioned themselves as serious Super Bowl contenders.
However, the Broncos ended up with one of the least effective offenses in NFL history during Wilson’s inaugural season, which prompted doubts about the wisdom of acquiring him.
This year, Wilson amassed 2,482 passing yards and 16 touchdowns across 11 games, but for the Steelers to advance further, they will likely need a younger and more dynamic player at the quarterback position.
