Steelers Rumors: Russell Wilson Had 'Great' Meeting With PIT amid NFL Free Agency

Pending free agent quarterback Russell Wilson had a "great meeting" with the Pittsburgh Steelers days after it was announced he would be released by the Denver Broncos, according to CBS Sports' Josina Anderson.

Wilson spoke with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith "for hours" Friday, Anderson reported.

She added that Wilson had reached out to some Steelers players in advance of the meeting.

After benching Wilson for the final two games of his tenure with the Broncos, Denver plans to take on $85 million in dead cap in order to release the quarterback on March 13.

Wilson finished the season with a 7-8 record after throwing for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 15 games.

The Broncos gave Wilson permission to begin meeting with other teams immediately after announcing his upcoming release, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Wilson visited the Steelers after speaking with the New York Giants Thursday, Schefter reported. The talk with the Giants was classified as an "exploratory meeting," per ESPN.

The Giants are looking to bolster their quarterback depth given the uncertainty surrounding Daniel Jones, who in the earliest possible timeline of recovery from his November ACL surgery will return just in time for training camp.

The Steelers' quarterback situation is similarly in flux. Kenny Pickett underwent ankle surgery in December following an up-and-down season in which he passed for 2,070 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions in 12 games.

Meanwhile Mason Rudolph, who started the last three games of Pittsburgh's regular season and their Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills even after Pickett was ready to return, is going to be a free agent.

Although general manager Omar Khan said at the NFL Combine he had "full faith" in the Steelers' 2022 first-round pick, he also mentioned the team planned to bring in "strong competition" for him.

Wilson could provide that competition, and his 12 seasons of experience and Super Bowl XLVIII ring with the Seattle Seahawks could additionally serve as a veteran presence to guide Pickett through his third NFL season.

The Steelers have also been tied to Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, although The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported Monday that Pittsburgh "is not among the teams actively working to trade for Fields."