Russell Wilson Rumors: Steelers, Patriots, Falcons Seen as Landing Spots by Insiders

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Multiple teams are reportedly expected to have interest in veteran quarterback Russell Wilson if the Denver Broncos release him during the offseason.

During an appearance Saturday on SportsCenter, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler named the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots as teams that could pursue Wilson in free agency:

The Broncos announced this week that they are benching Wilson in favor of Jarrett Stidham for the final two games this season, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the decision was made to prevent Wilson from getting injured.

If Wilson were to get injured and fail a physical in March, a $37 million injury guarantee in his contract would fully vest.

Fowler noted that the Broncos are expected to release Wilson before the start of the new league year, making him a free agent.

The 35-year-old Wilson built a Hall of Fame résumé during his first 10 NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, earning nine Pro Bowl selections and winning a Super Bowl.

Denver traded a massive package of draft picks and players to the Seahawks for Wilson, and it went poorly out of the gates, as Wilson went 4-11 as a starter last season and had his worst statistical season, completing 60.5 percent of his passes for 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett during his first season as head coach and replaced him with Sean Payton in hopes of the former New Orleans Saints head coach and offensive guru turning the offense around.

With Payton at the helm, Wilson had a much more productive 2023 season, completing 66.4 percent of his passing attempts for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight picks.

However, with the Broncos clinging to their playoff lives at 7-7, the decision was made to bench Wilson and preserve the ability to cut ties with him during the offseason.

Of the teams rumored to have interest in Wilson, all of them were significantly impacted by poor quarterback play this season.

The Falcons are just one game out of the NFC South lead at 7-8, but they could already be locked into a playoff spot if not for second-year man Desmond Ridder throwing for 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his 13 appearances.

Pittsburgh also still has a shot at the playoffs at 8-7, but 2023 has been a quarterback carousel with Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph all getting starts.

Collectively, the three quarterbacks have combined to throw just 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.

At 4-11, the Patriots are one of the NFL’s worst teams this season, and it could cost legendary head coach Bill Belichick his job.

Mac Jones likely played his way out of the organization by going 2-9 with 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 picks. Bailey Zappe has been better with a 2-2 record as a starter and 975 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions in eight interceptions, but he doesn’t seem like the long-term answer.

Wilson’s best football is probably behind him, but he should be an upgrade for the Falcons, Steelers and Patriots if any of them choose to sign him during the offseason.