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Russell Wilson played in 30 games over two seasons with the Denver Broncos.
He previously spent 10 years with the Seattle Seahawks, leading them to a Super Bowl victory over Denver in 2014.
“This is the day that the Lord has appointed; I will rejoice and rejoice in it!” he said to X.
Wilson is one of only five active QBs to start and win a Super Bowl, the others being Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco.
Denver will send two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks, one fifth-round pick and three players to Seattle in exchange for Wilson and a fourth-round pick before the start of the 2022 season. Traded to. He then signed a five-year contract extension through 2029 worth $245 million.
Wilson was touted as the long-term successor to legendary quarterback Peyton Manning, who retired after the Broncos won their third Super Bowl in 2016, but won just 11 of 30 games with Denver. There wasn't.
Wilson has had two head coaches in his two years with the Broncos, with rookie Nathaniel Hackett fired late in his first season and his replacement Sean Payton benched for the final two games of the 2023 season.
He has 43,653 passing yards, 334 touchdowns and 106 interceptions in his 12-year career and will compete with Pittsburgh's current starter Kenny Pickett.
Most of Wilson's huge contract extension ($165 million) is guaranteed, so Denver will continue to pay the majority of his salary for the 2024 season, with Pittsburgh paying a portion.
This is almost “easy” – analysis
Phoebe Scheckter, NFL pundit
Wilson really struggled the last two years with the Broncos. Payton certainly improved in his second year, but he's not the Russell Wilson of old.
They brought in Payton, but truth be told, he didn't really want Wilson. I think that was the biggest problem because he wanted to find players to bring in.
Pittsburgh drafted Pickett two years ago, so I think bringing in Wilson will be very interesting. I think this will create competition because they wanted that athleticism and that veteran mindset.
It's almost a given for the Steelers to pay that little amount to a veteran starting quarterback who was in the league last year. If you have someone like that to help guide your young players, your next quarterback, you have no choice but to win out of this situation.
