- Pittsburgh Steelers. Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw makes bold claim about Kenny Pickett's future as starter REDACCI�N:
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The picture seems to be clearing up a bit for Russell Wilson. After his sudden departure from the Denver Broncos, analysts believed that it would be difficult for the quarterback to find a team; however, that seems to be changing, and at least one door is ajar for the 12-year veteran.
This Tuesday, the Broncos confirmed what almost everyone expected: after two disastrous years, they would let go of the quarterback to whom they had extended one of the largest contracts in the NFL: $242 million for five years.
Wilson's departure will be official as of March 13, the start date of free agency, but Denver gave him permission to begin looking for a new team. Despite this, no squad had made contact with him, not even those that were already looking for a new quarterback.
James Palmer, NFL Network insider, said on his X account that "Russell Wilson is now a free agent, so what does his market look like? It's early, and things can easily change with free agency and the draft still ahead, but there isn't much of one right now."
Wilson's future could be in Pittsburgh
Palmer's gloomy assessment of Wilson's future appears to have changed in just two days after reports began to surface of the Pittsburgh Steelers' interest in signing the Super Bowl XLVIII champion.
Team sources told Gerry Dulac of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Steelers were considering signing Wilson and planned to meet with the player before the start of the free agency period.
Russell has ties to the city through Evolution Advisors, an insurance management company he formed jointly with his wife Ciara and the insurer Acrisure. This would facilitate his arrival in Pittsburgh, although rumors suggest that he is also in talks with another team, not yet revealed.
The outlook for the Steelers
Pittsburgh had serious problems with its passing attack in the 2023 season. It was the 25th team in passing yards average, with just 186.1 yards per game, and 27th in points scored with 17.9.
None of the Steelers' options at quarterback seem strong enough: Their 2022 first-round draft pick, Kenny Pickett, hasn't grown as expected, and his replacement, Mason Rudolph, will enter free agency next week.
Pickett has already recovered from the injury that sidelined him for the season in Week 13, but his record of 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in two years says he still has to mature to be the team's starter. Rudolph is head coach Mike Tomlin's trusted substitute, but in six years, he has not received an opportunity as a starter, and it is possible that this offseason he will decide to seek a new opportunity.
As for Wilson, nothing guarantees that he will become a starter for the Steelers, but we will have to see if he is willing to serve as a mentor to young Pickett. If the rumors are true, the Steelers will have to clean house before Wilson arrives, no matter what role they assign him.