After two disappointing seasons with Kenny Pickett at quarterback, the Pittsburgh Steelers made an interesting move last offseason by picking up veteran signal-caller Russell Wilson after he had been released by the Denver Broncos.
Wilson had spent two dismal years with the Broncos and missed the playoffs in both of those seasons, and it looked like he was over the hill.
He was able to guide the Steelers to an 11-6 finish this season, although they got rolled in the wild-card round of the playoffs by the Baltimore Ravens.
The 36-year-old is about to become a free agent, and speculation has begun about what Pittsburgh may do with him and at the QB spot in general.
ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio said he doesn’t expect Wilson to wear the black and yellow next season, per 93.7 The Fan.
“I would be stunned — beyond stunned if Russell Wilson is back next year,” he said.
Wilson had spent his first 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and delivered them a Super Bowl championship during the 2013 season, but by 2021, the team was in demise.
He was traded to the Broncos in the spring of 2022 for five draft picks, Noah Fant, Drew Lock and Shelby Harris, and some thought the Broncos had just become legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
Instead, the Broncos put forth one of the worst offenses in NFL history in their maiden voyage with Wilson, and it started to become clear that going after him was a mistake.
This year, Wilson threw for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games, but for the Steelers to take the next step, they will need someone younger and a little more dynamic.
