Russell Wilson is heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Steelers, a person familiar with the details told the Associated Press on Sunday night.
The AP source said Wilson will receive the veteran’s minimum of $1.21m while the Denver Broncos pay the remainder of his $39m salary.
Wilson posted his intentions on X, saying: “Year 13. Grateful. Steelers.”
The 35-year-old was 11-19 in two seasons with the Broncos after being acquired in a trade from Seattle. He bounced back from a dreadful 2022 season and threw 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, but still lost his job to Jarrett Stidham after going 7-8 in coach Sean Payton’s first season last year.
Wilson led Seattle to eight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title in 10 seasons with the Seahawks.
The Steelers lost a wildcard playoff game with Mason Rudolph as their starting quarterback last season. Rudolph replaced Kenny Pickett, who was 7-5 before going down with an injury. Mitch Trubisky started the other two games and went 0-2.
The Steelers are scheduled to play the Broncos in Denver this upcoming season – and the game could feature a return by Wilson. The NFL is expected to release its league schedule in May.
Last week, the Broncos informed Wilson they’d release him when the new league year begins on Wednesday – but gave him permission to speak to other teams.
“We thank Russell for his contributions and dedications to our team and community while wishing him the best as he continues his career,” the Broncos posted on their social media channels last week, adding, “We are excited to improve this offseason and will have the flexibility to get better through the draft and free agency.”
After signing a nearly quarter-billion dollar extension before he had even played a down in Denver, Wilson claimed the Broncos had threatened to bench him for the final nine games last season if he didn’t push back his $37m injury guarantee in his contract.
Wilson declined to adjust his deal and started seven more games before he was benched in what Payton insisted was a football, rather than a financial, move.
Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield will remain as Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback for the near future after agreeing to a three-year contract worth up to $115m.
The Tampa Bay Times reported Mayfield will receive $30m in 2024 and $30m in 2025, with $20m guaranteed in the second year of the deal. The quarterback’s salary would increase to $40m in 2026, the newspaper said.
Mayfield, who has played with four teams over the past three seasons, resurrected his career in 2023 after joining the Bucs on a one-year contract following the retirement of Tom Brady. Mayfield led the the team to their third consecutive NFC South title.
The No 1 overall pick from the 2018 draft threw for a career-best 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns while cutting down on costly mistakes that undermined previous stints with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams. Mayfield and Dak Prescott were the only NFL quarterbacks to throw for at least 28 TDs while tossing 10 or fewer interceptions last season.
Mayfield agreed to terms two days after Tampa Bay finalized a two-year, $52m contract with star receiver Mike Evans, who also passed up an opportunity to test his worth in free agency. Evans is coming off his 10th straight 1,000-yard season and tied Tyreek Hill for the league lead in TD receptions with 13.
