Originally appeared at Steelers Now: NFL Insider: Don’t ‘Rule Out’ Russell Wilson Signing with Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback situation is anyone’s best guess, even after Mike Tomlin gave some vote of confidence toward Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph. As they search for an offensive coordinator, that could also affect who they want to land.
But Peter King believes there is someone the team will like that should be available — Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson.
“I would not rule out Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh. I think if Mike Tomlin had his way he’d want a veteran quarterback,” King said on 93.7 the Fan.
Later in the day, former Steelers insider Ed Bouchette said that he believed Wilson would be a ‘no brainer’ to sign if the Steelers were interested in him. It could happen, but Wilson’s rocky road over the last two seasons raises the legitimate question of whether he would move the needle. But he would likely come for cheaper than most think simply because Denver will be paying him a massive amount of money.
Denver is just two seasons removed from trading for Wilson. The Broncos sent two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant to the Seahawks for Wilson on March 16, 2022.
A Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowler with the Seahawks, Wilson has struggled in Denver. He posted an 84.4 passer rating in 2022, which was by far the lowest mark of his career, and was sacked a league-high 55 times.
The Broncos fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett after just one season, trading more draft picks for former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton this past offseason, and Wilson has been better with a 98 passer rating in 15 games this season.
But he hasn’t prevented the Broncos from being eliminated from the playoffs and Wilson hasn’t come close to living up to his five-year, $243 million contract.