Why did the Steelers sign Russell Wilson? Cheap contract, experience make QB ideal Kenny Pickett competition

Just a few months ago, the Steelers and their fans seemed to be aligned on the idea that Kenny Pickett could become the team’s solution at quarterback. Pickett finished his rookie season on a relatively high note, and he looked terrific in preseason action entering 2023.

Just six months after Week 1, Pittsburgh made a splash and signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal as competition for Pickett. 

Pickett, of course, didn’t even finish the 2023 season as the Steelers’ starter. He ceded the job when he suffered an ankle injury, and Mike Tomlin opted to stick with Mason Rudolph as Pittsburgh’s starter even after Pickett recovered. 

Despite the disappointing year, recent reports indicated that Pickett still had a chance to be the Steelers’ future at quarterback even if a veteran was brought in. Has that changed?

MORE: Full details of Russell Wilson’s Steelers contract

Here’s what you need to know about the Steelers’ decision to sign Wilson.

Why did the Steelers sign Russell Wilson?

While Wilson is coming off a pair of underwhelming seasons in Denver, a quarterback with his track record typically commands a sizable contract. One comparable signal-caller is Derek Carr, who signed a four-year, $150 million with the Saints after his release by the Raiders a year ago.

It’s safe to say Wilson would not be wearing a Steelers uniform in 2024 if he was asking for that kind of deal. Instead, Wilson’s unique situation allowed him to pursue a cheap contract. Wilson was set to be paid $39 million in 2024 regardless of where he ended up, so the Steelers were able to sign him for just $1.2 million while Wilson still makes the remaining $37.8 million through the Broncos.

Tomlin indicated after the season that the Steelers were committed to Pickett but were interested in bringing in competition for the former first-round pick. That included leaving the door open for the return of QB Mason Rudolph. Considering Wilson comes as cheap as (or cheaper than) Rudolph or any other veteran would have, it made all the sense in the world to sign a quarterback who has experienced high-level success and won a Super Bowl.

Even after a rocky tenure in Denver, there is arguably no quarterback on the market who can offer as much as Wilson can for just $1.2 million. Wilson did throw 26 touchdowns to just eight interceptions in 2023, so he found a way to limit turnovers even if the yardage wasn’t nearly at the level it was when he was in Seattle.

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What does this mean for Pickett? The Steelers are set to label this a quarterback competition between Wilson and the third-year QB, but it’s unlikely Wilson would have signed with Pittsburgh if he thought he wasn’t the favorite to start. That the Steelers wasted no time pursuing Wilson and met with him for several hours over the weekend is another indication that he isn’t being viewed simply as a backup.

While Pickett could try to wrestle the job away from Wilson, his contract runs through at least 2025 (or 2026, if his fifth-year option is exercised), and the Steelers can still consider him part of their future if he develops as hoped. 

Needless to say, the Steelers did not anticipate being in this position just a few months ago. The Wilson signing means there is no shying away from the reality that Pickett hasn’t progressed as quickly as the franchise hoped, and his future in Pittsburgh won’t be guaranteed until that progress becomes evident.

Why Russell Wilson signed with the Steelers

Wilson likely would have had a few options had he remained on the open market, as he already met with the Giants and reportedly could have been a target of the Vikings if Kirk Cousins signed elsewhere. Why the Steelers?

Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers pic.twitter.com/0U4Q2sRtXs

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) March 11, 2024
There’s no doubt the opportunity to play for one of the most respected head coaches in the NFL, as well as for a storied franchise, was compelling. It’s also possible the Steelers offered him the best chance at a starting role. While Wilson has name recognition, it wouldn’t be surprising if there weren’t many clear-cut starting jobs available to him given his age and apparent decline. The Vikings might have been able to offer him one, but Cousins’ exit is no guarantee.

The Steelers pushed hard for Wilson and don’t have a clear solution at quarterback even with Pickett on the roster. Wilson will go into Pittsburgh as the likely frontrunner for the starting job, given Pickett didn’t finish 2023 as the team’s starter.

Wilson also could see the Steelers as his best opportunity to win. While playoff wins have eluded Pittsburgh for the last seven seasons, the franchise hasn’t posted a losing season in Tomlin’s 17-year tenure and reliably brings a strong defense to the table.

It’s not easy to win in the AFC, as Wilson found out in Denver, but the ability to play for an all-business organization with a hard-nosed defense is about as enchanting as it gets for a quarterback who might be on his last chance as an NFL starter.