NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Martin Rogers
FOX Sports Insider
When Russell Wilson rose to the summit of professional football it happened like a whirlwind, a sudden surge without a backward glance, a plotline that turned a third-round pick into a rookie sensation and then a Super Bowl champion in less than two years.
And when Wilson fell from footballing grace, it happened almost as quickly. A two-season stint with the Denver Broncos ended with an 11-19 record as starter and an unceremonious dumping last week, Wilson’s departure seen as being so desirable an outcome to be worth an $85 million dead money salary cap hit.
Late on Sunday night, came the first step in the 35-year-old QB’s attempt to lift himself again to the upper reaches of the game and to prove he still has what it takes to be that most valuable of NFL commodities, a quarterback who can be counted on to win.
Wilson effectively confirmed multiple media reports by posting on social media. He is expected to sign officially once the new league year begins on Wednesday.
Technically speaking, Wilson remains under contract with the Broncos until then, despite being told he would be released, but was granted permission by Denver to speak with other clubs.
The Broncos will also pay virtually his entire salary next season, $38 million, with Pittsburgh on the hook for just $1.2 million as Wilson joins a loaded AFC North QB pool also featuring Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson.
But this is not like his last switch, which involved a move from the Seattle Seahawks to Denver in a blockbuster trade involving multiple picks and players and a juicy five-year contract worth $245 million — and was the deal supposed to be the cornerstone of a bright new era under a fresh ownership group.
In Pittsburgh, Wilson will be arriving considerably further down the food chain, coming to pick a fight for the starting job, and it is a scrap he is by no means certain to win. Kenny Pickett has struggled…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/russell-wilsons-career-has-risen-and-fallen-can-he-rise-again-with-steelers
Author :
Publish date : 2024-03-11 05:29:06
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
