Steelers' Russell Wilson Hit With Shrewd Comment From Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton

The Pittsburgh Steelers have retooled their offense during the 2024 offseason They traded away both Kenny Pickett and Diontae Johnson, and brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to fill out their quarterback room. Both of the Steelers' new quarterbacks have been heavily criticized over the last few seasons; Fields for his inconsistent play with the Chicago Bears, and Wilson for the way he carried himself when he was with the Denver Broncos. Each quarterback is looking to get their career back on the right path with the Steelers, and both were acquired by the Steelers for a low price due to their former teams no longer wanting them.

Wilson and Fields were each thrown to the side by their former organizations. Once the Bears acquired the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it was clear they wanted to part ways with Fields. Wilson was benched by Denver late in the 2023 season; however, it was not for his play. Wilson refused to waive the injury clause in his contract that stated he would receive guaranteed money if he suffered an injury, which led to Head Coach Sean Payton taking him off the field for good. After this all went on in Denver, it became clear the Broncos planned on releasing Wilson to make him a free agent. 

The Broncos released Wilson, and in turn had to take on a dead cap hit of $85 million that will be spread out across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Payton was asked at the 2024 NFL Annual Meetings if this made it difficult to release Wilson, and he was straightforward with his response.

"No."

Wilson struggled in his first year in Denver in 2022, but some of his struggles can be placed on former Broncos Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett, who was fired after just one season. Wilson bounced back in 2023 under Payton, looking like one of the better quarterbacks in the league. As his situation unfolded in Denver, it became clear Payton did not like Wilson, and wanted to move on from him, despite his quality play. His distain for Wilson became even more clear when he gave his stern response at the Annual Meetings when asked about the hefty price tag that came with releasing Wilson.

Wilson finished the 2023 season with 15 starts after being benched before the team's final two games. On the year, he threw 26 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions, while throwing for 3,070 yards. Wilson also proved to still be a threat with his legs, running for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is not as mobile as he once was, but he is still a dual threat quarterback that should perform well in Arthur Smith's run-first offense.

With the Broncos still paying Wilson a boatload of money over the next two seasons, the Steelers were able to sign Wilson on a bargain deal. The two parties agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million shortly before free agency kicked off. To give some perspective on how valuable Wilson's contract is for the Steelers, he is making less than what both Mitch Trubisky and Pickett made during the 2023 season, and he is far more productive on the field than the two former Steelers quarterbacks. 

Steelers Built One Of The Cheapest Quarterback Rooms In The League

The Steelers managed to build their quarterback room of Wilson and Fields for next to nothing. Both players should be considered upgrades over all three quarterbacks that started games for Pittsburgh in 2023. Wilson signed his veteran minimum deal due to the big check he is still getting from Denver, and Fields is still on his rookie contract. 

Fields is expected to hit the cap for $3.2 million in 2024, and Pittsburgh needs to decide on his fifth-year option worth $25.6 million by May 2nd. The option will likely be declined, and the Steelers will hopefully attempt to work out a team-friendly multi-year extension with Fields. Both quarterbacks didn't cost much financially, and the Steelers only had to give the Bears a conditional sixth round pick in 2025 for Fields. The pick could convert to a fourth round selection if Fields plays over half of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps in 2024. 

The Steelers also signed quarterback Kyle Allen, who will certainly be the third quarterback on the depth chart. The details of his contract have yet to be released, but he should not be carrying a high cap hit.