NFL insider reveals Russell Wilson's path to Steelers QB job

The Pittsburgh Steelers took the leap on Sunday, inking former Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal for $1.2 million. Despite snagging a veteran for the 2024 season, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Wilson will still be battling it out with quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph.

Pittsburgh had very little to lose by adding the former Super Bowl champion, and much to gain.

“I think Mike Tomlin will declare this to be an open competition,” Schefter shared on Get Up on Monday. “We in the media believe Russell Wilson will step up and seize the opportunity…but this is something that will have to be won on the field.

“Pittsburgh identified the opportunity cost here and decided to move forward. He opts to go early in free agency for an offensive coordinator who’s determined to bounce back after a stint in Atlanta, for a Mike Tomlin team that wants to get back to a postseason and have some success, the likes of which they haven’t had in some time.”

An all-out competition is in order for the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks, but ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes Wilson will ultimately come out on top. On Get Up, the former Detroit Lions draft pick argued Wilson is the team’s best quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger.

“It’s Russell Wilson,” Orlovsky said. “Today is a facts-over-feelings day. Pittsburgh will get the best play they’ve gotten from a quarterback since 2020. If Russell plays for the Steelers the way he played for the Broncos, they’ll win a playoff game. This is a great move for both parties.”

Wilson moving on to Pittsburgh following Denver stint

Wilson led the Broncos to a 7-8 record as a starter this past season while throwing for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Now he is set to join a Steelers team that started three different quarterbacks in 2023 yet still managed to finish 9-8 and make the playoffs.

Wilson spent the first 10 seasons of his pro career as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, who selected him in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was named a Pro Bowler in nine of those years, including in 2013 when he led the team to a Super Bowl victory.

He left Seattle as the franchise’s all-time leading passer with 37,059 yards and 292 touchdowns. The Seahawks traded him to Denver ahead of the 2022 season.

On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report.