READ ALSO………………………………………………..
Russell Wilson of the Steelers received a sharp remark from Sean Payton, the head coach of the Broncos…………………………
In the 2024 offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers made adjustments to their offensive line. To bolster their quarterback room, they acquired Justin Fields and Russell Wilson after dealing away Diontae Johnson and Kenny Pickett. Over the past several seasons, the new quarterbacks for the Steelers, Wilson and Fields, have both come under fire: Fields for his uneven play with the Chicago Bears and Wilson for his demeanor while playing for the Denver Broncos. Both quarterbacks were acquired by the Steelers for a cheap price since their previous teams no longer wanted them, and both are hoping to put their careers back on track with the squad.
Fields and Wilson were both dismissed by their previous organizations. After obtaining the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it became evident that the Bears intended to separate with Fields. Denver benched Wilson at the end of the 2023 season, but it wasn’t because of his performance. Head Coach Sean Payton removed Wilson from the field permanently because he refused to waive the injury provision in his contract, which guaranteed him money in the event of an injury. Following all of this in Denver, it became evident that the Broncos intended to release Wilson in order to grant him free agency.
The Broncos had to absorb a $85 million dead cap penalty, which will be distributed over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, as a result of Wilson’s release. When asked if this made it tough to release Wilson at the 2024 NFL Annual Meetings, Payton gave a direct answer.
In 2022, Wilson had a difficult first season in Denver; however, some of his problems can be attributed to previous Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett, who was sacked after just one season. Under Payton, Wilson recovered in 2023 and appeared to be among the league’s top quarterbacks. Despite Wilson’s excellent play, it became apparent as his circumstances in Denver developed that Payton did not like him and wanted to move on. When he responded sharply to a question about the high cost of releasing Wilson during the Annual Meetings, it was evident how much he despised the man.
The Steelers were able to sign Wilson to a cheap contract because the Broncos continued to pay Wilson a large salary for the following two seasons. Just before free agency began, the two sides reached an agreement on a $1.2 million, one-year contract. Wilson is making less than both Mitch Trubisky and Tyler Pickett did in the 2023 season, but he is still considerably more effective on the field than the two former Steelers quarterbacks, which puts Wilson’s deal value for the team in context.
The Steelers Constructed One of the League’s Cheapest Quarterback Rooms
For almost nothing, the Steelers were able to construct Wilson and Fields’ quarterback room. Compared to the three quarterbacks that started games for Pittsburgh in 2023, both guys need to be viewed as improvements. Fields is still on his rookie contract, and Wilson signed his veteran minimum deal because of the large check he still receives from Denver.
By May 2nd, Pittsburgh must make a decision regarding Fields’ $25.6 million fifth-year option, as he is anticipated to reach the cap for $3.2 million in 2024. The Steelers will probably try to negotiate a mutually beneficial multi-year deal with Fields after declining the option. Financially, neither quarterback was particularly expensive; in exchange for Fields, the Steelers only had to send the Bears a conditional sixth-round pick in 2025. In the event that Fields plays more than half of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps in 2024, the pick may become a fourth round selection.
Kyle Allen, a quarterback who will undoubtedly be ranked third on the depth chart, was also signed by the Steelers. Although the specifics of his contract are yet unknown, he shouldn’t have a large cap cost.