Pittsburgh Steelers plan to re-sign Russell Wilson to a long-term contract after 2024 season: Report
Pittsburgh Steelers newly signed quarterback Russell Wilson speaks with reporters during an NFL football press conference in Pittsburgh, Friday, March 15, 2024. Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Steelers on Friday after being cut by the Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke)AP
When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Russell Wilson, the prevailing thought was he would be a “bridge” until they found a younger quarterback to replace him.
That speculation gained more traction when the Steelers acquired Justin Fields after a trade with the Chicago Bears on Saturday. Some observers said Fields, who started in 38 of the 40 games he appeared in with the Bears, would compete against Wilson for the QB1 position.
The Steelers plan to sign Wilson to a long-term deal after the 2024 season, according to a report from Gary Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Wilson, 35, will play on a one-year veteran’s minimum salary of $1.2 million in 2024. Wilson agreed to sign for the veteran’s minimum knowing the Denver Broncos are paying him $39 million in 2024.
Barring an unforeseen injury or ridiculously poor play, Wilson is expected to be the team’s starter for Week 1 and Fields will be his backup. If Wilson performs well during the season, the Steelers can sign him to a multi-year deal. If he struggles, Fields could step in and take over.
The latter scenario isn’t what the Steelers are expecting. Wilson posted a solid, bounce-back season with the Broncos in 2023. He threw 26 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions before he was benched for the final two games of the regular season. Wilson’s 26 touchdown passes were more than the Steelers had in the past two seasons combined.
The Steelers seem to think that Wilson is the quarterback that can not only help them reach the playoffs, but snap a four-game losing streak in the playoffs and post their first postseason win since 2016.
