Russell Wilson's decision to start the next chapter of his NFL career in Pittsburgh didn't faze oddsmakers, but the public reacted quickly when the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback chose the Steelers.
After it was announced Sunday night that Wilson had chosen Pittsburgh following his official release by Denver, the Steelers' odds of winning the Super Bowl remained at +8000 at BetMGM. However, the sportsbook reported that since the news, 38 percent of all new bets on next season's Super Bowl champions have been placed on Pittsburgh.
The Steelers remain tied for the seventh-longest odds at BetMGM, tied with the team where Wilson spent his first 10 NFL seasons (Seattle at +8000) and slightly ahead of the team he worked hard for over the last two years ( Denver at +10000). .
Wilson wasn't the only big headline before the start of free agency that didn't spark a move in the futures markets.
The Kansas City Chiefs remained the +350 favorite to win the AFC Championship and have the second-smallest Super Bowl odds at +650 after defensive lineman Chris Jones reportedly agreed to a $95 million extension. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl odds were unchanged at +6600 after quarterback Baker Mayfield was reportedly retained on a $100 million deal.
Wilson was the first of the starting quarterback domino players to change destinations this offseason. Whether this proves to be a significant enough addition for the Steelers to compete in the high-profile AFC North – let alone the AFC – remains a question for the season
Wilson, 35, also reportedly sat down with the New York Giants before apparently deciding to work with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
According to an ESPN report, Wilson — a former Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback — will sign a team-friendly one-year deal that will see his former employer, the Denver Broncos, pay $38 million of his salary.
When the reports surfaced Sunday, Wilson posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, of Steelers fans with the caption, “Year 13. Grateful.”
Wilson would join Kenny Pickett, the Steelers' 2022 first-round pick, as the team's only quarterback under contract. Mason Rudolph started three games and led Pittsburgh to the playoffs in 2023, but is leaving in free agency. Mitch Trubisky, who started two games for the Steelers last season, returned to Buffalo, where he played in 2021.
Earlier this week, the Broncos gave Wilson permission to find a new employer before officially releasing him when the 2024 NFL league year begins on Wednesday. The Broncos face a huge dead cap hit of $85 million, but can save some money if the veteran signs a new contract.
Wilson was benched for the final two games of the 2023 season to avoid an injury that would trigger guarantees in his contract. He compiled a record of 11-19 in 30 starts in two seasons with the Broncos.
Wilson led Seattle to two Super Bowls during his successful decade with the Seahawks, winning a championship in Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.
As a starter in Seattle, he won 104 regular season games and rushed for 43,653 yards with 334 touchdowns and 106 interceptions in 188 contests. He has 5,307 rushing yards and 29 points.
–Field level media
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