Broncos release Wilson

[Oviedo]

Let the rumors begin

[Shawn]

As well they should. The Burgh will be very high on the list of landing spots for Wilson. However, I would rather have Fields.

[Chucktownsteeler]

That has to be a hellish cap hit.

[WindyCitySteel]

That has to be a hellish cap hit.

$85M dead money. Ripped the band-aid off.

[Buzz]

The Russell Wilson I've been watching the past couple of years? No thanks

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Suddenly a very unexpected candidate. Broncos taking a huge dead cap hit to release him - over $80M likely spread over two years. He might be willing to take less considering how much he'll be getting paid anyway. Do players really want to come play for Tomlin? Are the Steelers just a franchise QB away from competing? Does RW still have a run left in him? I didn't think so but he did have a good season overall, and looked very good in stretches last year. I wouldn't be willing to commit much past '24 or '25, but if reasonable I'd give him a shot.

[Northern_Blitz]

$85M dead money. Ripped the band-aid off.

I think what might hurt for them is that teams are required to spend something like 90% of the cap in cash over 3 (?) year periods (year 1 is this year I think).

I a cut like this will mean they will have to spend big signing bonuses next year and the year after to hit the cash value. Because they'll have $85M of the cap that they are not using this year and they'll have to make that up over the rest of the period.

That's not bad if you have people that deserve the big deals. But in practice, it might mean that the Broncos end up giving big signing bonuses to UFAs who are not elite players.

Although maybe the payments they end up making to Wilson even though he's been cut still count? It's a pretty crazy situation...so I'm not sure.

Will be interesting to see how it pans out.

[Starlifter]

despite all the hopes, dreams and fantasies - KP is the #1 next year and the Steelers will be looking for a solid vet backup. If they are able to resign Mason, there might be a slightly more realistic QB competition in Latrobe - but we shall see how that plays out. But as has been said by others (and I agree), they will roll with KP, sign a vet (perhaps Russell) and draft a QB in the lower rounds. The reason this seems likely to me is despite growth and performance issues - KP's greatest asset is his rookie deal and the window they have with that savings to invest elsewhere. I just don't see them not giving him this third year at a really cheap price with a new OC to guide him before they make a decision long term.

[Oviedo]

despite all the hopes, dreams and fantasies - KP is the #1 next year and the Steelers will be looking for a solid vet backup. If they are able to resign Mason, there might be a slightly more realistic QB competition in Latrobe - but we shall see how that plays out. But as has been said by others (and I agree), they will roll with KP, sign a vet (perhaps Russell) and draft a QB in the lower rounds. The reason this seems likely to me is despite growth and performance issues - KP's greatest asset is his rookie deal and the window they have with that savings to invest elsewhere. I just don't see them not giving him this third year at a really cheap price with a new OC to guide him before they make a decision long term.

I guarantee that we will have another QB starting at least 3-4 games in 2024. The elephant in the room, beside his underwhelming performance, is that Pickett can't stay healthy. We need more than a cheap back up or a QB we take a flyer on late.

[NorthCoast]

despite all the hopes, dreams and fantasies - KP is the #1 next year and the Steelers will be looking for a solid vet backup. If they are able to resign Mason, there might be a slightly more realistic QB competition in Latrobe - but we shall see how that plays out. But as has been said by others (and I agree), they will roll with KP, sign a vet (perhaps Russell) and draft a QB in the lower rounds. The reason this seems likely to me is despite growth and performance issues - KP's greatest asset is his rookie deal and the window they have with that savings to invest elsewhere. I just don't see them not giving him this third year at a really cheap price with a new OC to guide him before they make a decision long term.

You're not signing Wilson to be a backup to Pickett. Same as you're not signing Fields to be a backup. Realistic backups? Brissett, Tannehill, Mariota, Minshew, etc. All of these QBs have already been in the backup role.

[WindyCitySteel]

You're not signing Wilson to be a backup to Pickett. Same as you're not signing Fields to be a backup. Realistic backups? Brissett, Tannehill, Mariota, Minshew, etc. All of these QBs have already been in the backup role.

I would think that is the most likely if Mason doesn't return. Between the two options, nearly 100% chance it happens.

Just hope they don't get a 7th round Oladukon type and at least take a shot at a guy in the draft on day 2.

[Buzz]

You're not signing Wilson to be a backup to Pickett. Same as you're not signing Fields to be a backup. Realistic backups? Brissett, Tannehill, Mariota, Minshew, etc. All of these QBs have already been in the backup role.

This. You sign any of Wilson, Cousins or Fields, you're signing them to be a starter.

I don't think the Steelers will seriously go after any of those three.

[feltdizz]

You're not signing Wilson to be a backup to Pickett. Same as you're not signing Fields to be a backup. Realistic backups? Brissett, Tannehill, Mariota, Minshew, etc. All of these QBs have already been in the backup role.

Right? Wilson isn?t going anywhere to be a backup. I would sit on the couch with Ciara and count my money until a team calls before signing to compete for a gig.

[Shawn]

despite all the hopes, dreams and fantasies - KP is the #1 next year and the Steelers will be looking for a solid vet backup. If they are able to resign Mason, there might be a slightly more realistic QB competition in Latrobe - but we shall see how that plays out. But as has been said by others (and I agree), they will roll with KP, sign a vet (perhaps Russell) and draft a QB in the lower rounds. The reason this seems likely to me is despite growth and performance issues - KP's greatest asset is his rookie deal and the window they have with that savings to invest elsewhere. I just don't see them not giving him this third year at a really cheap price with a new OC to guide him before they make a decision long term.

Kind of depends if the reports about Fields are true. If they truly are players then they already know what they have with KP. But overall I agree. Most likely KP is the starter much to our chagrin.

[Oviedo]

I would think that is the most likely if Mason doesn't return. Between the two options, nearly 100% chance it happens.

Just hope they don't get a 7th round Oladukon type and at least take a shot at a guy in the draft on day 2.

Yep...no more Duck Hodges please

The real question is what does the team REALLY think about Pickett? Of course they are going to be positive and say all the right things in public, but has anyone seen anything close to what we saw in Big Ben's first two seasons? If you are to believe what has been written, at least a significant part of his fellow players don't believe in him, nor should they. He was a bottom 5 QB in the league and rarely do those types of players become Super Bowl champs.