Russell Wilson Finds ‘Fountain of Youth’ After Steelers Trade: ‘Revived in Every Way’

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJune 11, 2024

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Russell Wilson is more than ready to begin a new era with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Man, I feel the fountain of youth,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “I feel revived in every way, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. I feel confident. I think at some point you have to know who you are as a player, as a man, as a competitor. As somebody who’s been fortunate to be able to play this game, I don’t doubt it. I trust it. I felt really good last year playing. I felt really confident in the midst of everything. And so I think right now I have all that confidence times 10.”

Wilson’s time in Denver was a disaster times 10. After the Broncos traded Drew Lock, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-rounders and a fifth to the Seattle Seahawks for Wilson, they promptly signed him to a five-year, $245 million deal.

The result was a struggling Wilson going just 11-19 as the starter over the course of two seasons, while the Broncos ended up eating $85 million in dead cap space after releasing him, the largest figure in NFL history.

The Steelers will be hoping Wilson can turn back the clock after signing him to a one-year, $1.2 million deal this offseason. In his prime, the veteran quarterback was a nine-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion.

But Pittsburgh hedged its bets, trading for Justin Fields as well. Those two will now go head-to-head in a quarterback competition, though head coach Mike Tomlin has said that Wilson holds “pole position” in that battle.

Time will tell. If Wilson is indeed rejuvenated, he’ll be one of the bargains of the offseason. If not, the Steelers at least have the exciting Fields waiting in the wings.