Steelers busy in opening days of new league year

With the NFL’s new league year commencing at 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Steelers made a flurry of actions to kick off their offseason, the most significant of which was a major change at quarterback.

The Steelers signed Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson and traded incumbent starter Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia in a draft selection deal.

Wilson not only replaces Pickett as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, but he is also the lone quarterback on the roster.

“The reason I wanted to come here was to win championships with Coach (Mike) Tomlin and the guys in the locker room,” the 13-year veteran stated at a press conference announcing the move on Friday. “We have some outstanding athletes, such as Cam Heyward, who has been named (Walter Payton’s) man of the year and has had a significant impact on many opponents.

“And then there’s Mr. T.J. Watt himself. I’m not sure how many times he could have won defensive player of the year, but maybe third or fourth. Simply amazing athlete, player, and competitor. Guys like Minkah (Fitzpatrick), George Pickens, and so many other outstanding players along the way. I saw some familiar faces there, including (Pat) Freiermuth and (Isaac) Seumalo. “Great place to be.”

The Steelers signed Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler who was released by Denver, to a one-year contract. That resulted in the Eagles receiving Pickett, a 2022 first-round draft pick and starter for the most of the previous two seasons, as well as a fourth-round pick (120 overall), in exchange for a third-round pick (98 overall) in this year’s draft and a pair of 2025 seventh-round picks.

This was hardly the Steelers’ only player deal this week.

Previously, they traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to Carolina, along with their seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft (240 overall), for veteran cornerback Donte Jackson and the Panthers’ sixth-round pick.

Jackson, the Panthers’ second-round choice in 2008, gives the Steelers a veteran presence at cornerback opposite Joey Porter Jr., a finalist for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.

“I can’t really describe how much respect and thanks I have for this organisation for not just taking a chance on me, but also making me a guy that they focus on acquiring, and that they have clearly desired for years. “I’m finally here,” said Jackson, a former LSU great. “I believe it happened at the appropriate time. I’ve been playing my best baseball. I’m simply excited to get out there with this incredible defence and shock the league. I simply can’t wait.