Russell Wilson + Vikings Rumors Change
An NFL team is reportedly set to chat with Russell Wilson about a relationship in 2024 — and it’s not the Minnesota Vikings.
Russell Wilson + Vikings Rumors Change
Since Wilson’s former employer benched him for Jarrett Stidham in December, sportsbooks and NFL-themed media have listed the Vikings as a landing spot. But on Thursday, Wilson stepped closer to joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.
KDKA-TV’s Gerry Dulac tweeted, “Steelers are interested in signing Russell Wilson and are tentatively planning to meet with the former Broncos QB before start of free agency, per sources. Wilson has interest in joining Steelers.”
The Steelers have Kenny Pickett under contract in 2024 and could re-sign free-agent Mason Rudolph, but adding Wilson would instantly thrust the veteran to the front of the line for QB1 services.
Dulac also tweeted, “Russell Wilson already has a connection with the Steelers. He and his wife, Ciara, a Grammy Award-winning singer, are founding partners and equity owners in Evolution Advisers, a joint venture formed by Acrisure, which owns the naming rights to the stadium.”
Wilson to Pittsburgh would make sense, as the Steelers finished 10-7 last season with a mash-up of the aforementioned Pickett and Rudolph at quarterback, plus a side dish of Mitchell Trubisky, who already signed with the Buffalo Bills this offseason. Reaching the postseason with quarterback uncertainty was a standalone accomplishment; perhaps Wilson could effectuate a career reclamation in Mike Tomlin’s system and take Pittsburgh deeper into the postseason.
Vikings fans will mostly rejoice at the possible Wilson-Steelers signing because it would cross Minnesota off the list. Wilson indeed represents wonderful value — he’ll probably sign somewhere close to the veteran minimum because of his earnings from Denver — but Vikings faithful don’t want a half-measured solution at quarterback in 2024. Many believe Minnesota should fully load up around free-agent Kirk Cousins or choose the quarterback of the future with high-round draft capital. Or both.
Adding Wilson for cheap and drafting a mid-round passer like Spencer Rattler or Jordan Travis would not be bold or exciting.
Wilson recorded 26 touchdown passes to 8 interceptions in 15 starts last season, while Denver banked a 7-8 record on his watch. Before getting benched, Wilson ranked 14th leaguewide per EPA+CPOE. For context, Kirk Cousins ranked fifth. During his first Broncos run (2022), Wilson placed 27th via the same metric.
He’s about three months younger than Cousins and no longer plays like the nine-time Pro Bowler who dominated the NFC from 2012 to 2021.
If the Vikings don’t re-sign Cousins, they’re likely to end up with Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), and Bo Nix (Oregon) from the 2024 NFL Draft.
NFL free agency begins in four days with “legal tampering.”
Vikings Trade Vindicated
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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