DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 31: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos walks on the field after his team’s 16-9 win against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field At Mile High on December 31, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Russell Wilson is not quite a free agent yet, though the Denver Broncos have announced his release.

The quarterback will officially become the above on March 13 but the Broncos have granted him permission to speak to other teams in the meantime. One NFL insider has made claims of interest being low around the league where he’s concerned, but the nine-time Pro Bowler has a meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers and could potentially provide competition for Kenny Pickett as a backup option in 2024.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Russ was spotted at an airport in Newark on Friday morning as he was catching a flight to Pittsburgh. A source claims he took pics and hung out with fans before he boarded the flight.

Signing Wilson would come with a neat bonus as he won’t require a huge salary. Denver absorbed a record amount in dead money to release him, so they’re still on the hook for $39 million this season.

As a result, Wilson can afford to play on a veteran’s minimum as he’s guaranteed the aforementioned sum regardless of where he plays next season.

As for the Steelers, they were initially reported to be interested in Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields but recent reports claim they prefer to build around Pickett instead. Wilson emerging as a cheap option appears to have swayed them a bit, however.