Russell Wilson is heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The nine-time Professional Bowl quarterback has agreed to signal a one-year take care of the Steelers, an individual conversant in the main points advised the Related Press on Sunday evening.
The AP supply mentioned Wilson will obtain the veteran’s minimal of $1.21m whereas the Denver Broncos pay the rest of his $39m wage.
Wilson posted his intentions on X, saying: “12 months 13. Grateful. Steelers.”
The 35-year-old was 11-19 in two seasons with the Broncos after being acquired in a commerce from Seattle. He bounced again from a dreadful 2022 season and threw 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and solely eight interceptions, however nonetheless misplaced his job to Jarrett Stidham after going 7-8 in coach Sean Payton’s first season final yr.
Wilson led Seattle to eight playoff appearances and a Tremendous Bowl title in 10 seasons with the Seahawks.
The Steelers misplaced a wildcard playoff sport with Mason Rudolph as their beginning quarterback final season. Rudolph changed Kenny Pickett, who was 7-5 earlier than happening with an damage. Mitch Trubisky began the opposite two video games and went 0-2.
The Steelers are scheduled to play the Broncos in Denver this upcoming season – and the sport might characteristic a return by Wilson. The NFL is predicted to launch its league schedule in Might.
Final week, the Broncos knowledgeable Wilson they’d launch him when the brand new league yr begins on Wednesday – however gave him permission to talk to different groups.
“We thank Russell for his contributions and dedications to our workforce and group whereas wishing him the most effective as he continues his profession,” the Broncos posted on their social media channels final week, including, “We’re excited to enhance this offseason and may have the pliability to get higher via the draft and free company.”
After signing a virtually quarter-billion greenback extension earlier than he had even performed a down in Denver, Wilson claimed the Broncos had threatened to bench him for the ultimate 9 video games final season if he didn’t push again his $37m damage assure in his contract.
Wilson declined to regulate his deal and began seven extra video games earlier than he was benched in what Payton insisted was a soccer, somewhat than a monetary, transfer.
Getting Wilson on a budget offers Pittsburgh loads of flexibility in free company as they deal with positions alongside the offensive and defensive strains in addition to the secondary and inside linebacker. The workforce minimize a number of gamers – particularly veteran defensive again Patrick Peterson and middle Mason Cole – in current weeks to create extra flexibility and Wilson’s arrival indicators an aggressive strategy with the workforce of their longest drought between postseason victories since Franco Harris made the “Immaculate Reception” greater than 5 many years in the past.
In the meantime, Baker Mayfield will stay as Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback for the close to future after agreeing to a three-year contract value as much as $115m.
The Tampa Bay Occasions reported Mayfield will obtain $30m in 2024 and $30m in 2025, with $20m assured within the second yr of the deal. The quarterback’s wage would enhance to $40m in 2026, the newspaper mentioned.
Mayfield, who has performed with 4 groups over the previous three seasons, resurrected his profession in 2023 after becoming a member of the Bucs on a one-year contract following the retirement of Tom Brady. Mayfield led the the workforce to their third consecutive NFC South title.
The No 1 total decide from the 2018 draft threw for a career-best 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns whereas slicing down on expensive errors that undermined earlier stints with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams. Mayfield and Dak Prescott had been the one NFL quarterbacks to throw for not less than 28 TDs whereas tossing 10 or fewer interceptions final season.
Mayfield agreed to phrases two days after Tampa Bay finalized a two-year, $52m contract with star receiver Mike Evans, who additionally handed up a chance to check his value in free company. Evans is coming off his tenth straight 1,000-yard season and tied Tyreek Hill for the league lead in TD receptions with 13.
