Russell Wilson
35-Year-Old
2023 Pass/Rush Stats
YDS
3070
TD
26
INT
8
YDS
341
TD
3
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Wilson’s second year in Denver went better than the first but not well enough to avoid getting benched late in the season and then released in March with a record $85 million dead-cap charge. He quickly signed with the Steelers, who later traded for Justin Fields. Wilson is in “pole position” to start, according to coach Mike Tomlin, and the 35-year-old would help himself if he just got the ball out quicker. Only Fields (3.23) took longer to throw than Wilson’s 3.06-second average last year, as he, again, stubbornly waited for downfield opportunities before repeatedly taking sacks or settling for check downs. Wilson ranked third in the NFL with 12.6 percent of his attempts traveling at least 20 yards and second with 26.2 percent at or behind the line of scrimmage, leading the league in RB screens for the second consecutive year. It amounted to a 6.9 YPA (22nd) on a 7.1-yard average target depth (25th) -- both career lows. Perhaps in Pittsburgh he’ll stop hunting for home runs and be content with drive-moving completions -- he was second in completion percentage (65.5) on attempts of 10-19 yards last season but simply didn't have many of those passes. The Steelers have a pair of quality targets in WR George Pickens and TE Pat Freiermuth, but they otherwise seem to be counting on unimpressive Van Jefferson and/or third-round rookie Roman Wilson. Pittsburgh figures to be run-heavy anyway with new OC Arthur Smith taking over an offense featuring RBs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. It's a situation in which Wilson is unlikely to put up big fantasy numbers even if he stabilizes the team's offense. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Gets commitment from Tomlin
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Wilson is in "pole position" to open the 2024 season as the Steelers' starting quarterback, though Justin Fields will "have the opportunity to compete" with the nine-time Pro Bowler for the No. 1 role, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. "We've been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start," Tomlin said Sunday. "I just think that provides clarity for all parties involved. Russell is a veteran, man. He's got a proven process of readiness. He's been in this league a long time. He's just got a lot of experience in terms of what it takes to be the guy over the course of a 12-month calendar, and I just think that that's something that a younger guy like Justin could learn from."
ANALYSIS
Addressing the Steelers' overhauled quarterback room for the first time following the signing of Wilson and trade acquisition of Fields earlier this month, Tomlin's comments about the situation didn't deviate much from prior reports, which suggested that Pittsburgh was viewing Wilson as its top option on the depth chart. The fact that Tomlin said that Fields will get the chance to compete for the starting role is noteworthy, though it likely would take an injury or poor showing in the offseason program and training camp for Wilson to lose the gig. Though Wilson thus should head into OTAs with some security, he's still only under contract for 2024, and his standing on the depth chart could become shakier if Pittsburgh gets off to a poor start to the season and eventually shifts into evaluation mode while a playoff berth falls out of reach.
Addressing the Steelers' overhauled quarterback room for the first time following the signing of Wilson and trade acquisition of Fields earlier this month, Tomlin's comments about the situation didn't deviate much from prior reports, which suggested that Pittsburgh was viewing Wilson as its top option on the depth chart. The fact that Tomlin said that Fields will get the chance to compete for the starting role is noteworthy, though it likely would take an injury or poor showing in the offseason program and training camp for Wilson to lose the gig. Though Wilson thus should head into OTAs with some security, he's still only under contract for 2024, and his standing on the depth chart could become shakier if Pittsburgh gets off to a poor start to the season and eventually shifts into evaluation mode while a playoff berth falls out of reach.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Russell Wilson's 2023 advanced stats compare to other quarterbacks?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Bad Pass %
12.8%Avg Target Depth
7.5 YdsSack Rate
9.1%Avg Receiver YAC
5.9 YdsReceiver Drop %
4.7%Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
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2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
2023 Russell Wilson Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Russell Wilson's measurables compare to other quarterbacks?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 11"Weight
215 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.53 secShuttle Time
4.09 secCone Drill
6.97 secVertical Jump
34.0 inBroad Jump
118 inHand Length
10.25 inArm Length
31.00 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Predicted to lose starting job
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com believes Wilson will cede the majority of starts in 2024 to Justin Fields.
ANALYSIS
Wilson is the favorite to start Week 1 for the Steelers, but Rosenthal thinks Pittsburgh will eventually turn to Fields, who is 10 years younger. Rosenthal's logic centers around both being mobile quarterbacks with similar skill sets, though it's worth noting that Wilson's career 334:106 TD:INT is far more impressive than Fields' 40:30 ratio. Wilson has thrown at least 25 touchdown passes in nine of his 12 NFL seasons, while Fields hasn't thrown more than 17 in any of his three campaigns.
Wilson is the favorite to start Week 1 for the Steelers, but Rosenthal thinks Pittsburgh will eventually turn to Fields, who is 10 years younger. Rosenthal's logic centers around both being mobile quarterbacks with similar skill sets, though it's worth noting that Wilson's career 334:106 TD:INT is far more impressive than Fields' 40:30 ratio. Wilson has thrown at least 25 touchdown passes in nine of his 12 NFL seasons, while Fields hasn't thrown more than 17 in any of his three campaigns.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
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2012
Given the keys to the kitchen last year, Wilson flamed out in shocking fashion. Coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired before the year was over, and Wilson struggled through a career-worst season defined by poor decisions, missed throws and a lack of timing. The result was career lows in a number of stats, including TD passes and completion percentage. The passing game boiled down to chucking it deep or dumping it off -- Wilson led the league in both percentage of attempts targeting go routes and percentage of attempts targeting RB screens. His league-high 80 attempts of 20-plus yards accomplished little (6 TD, 5 INT), other than contributing to a league- and career-high 55 sacks as he waited for routes to develop -- even though he ranked just 15th in pressure rate. To the rescue is former Saints coach Sean Payton, whose proven scheme should offer Wilson more high-percentage throws and more of the field. Wilson also stands to benefit from simple regression in the red zone, where last year his TD pass percentage was a mere 15.6, 32nd in the league. Javonte Willams (knee) is uncertain, but Payton aimed to re-make the running game -- and take some heat off Wilson -- by signing blockers OT Mike McGlinchey, OG Ben Power, TE Chris Manhertz and FB Michael Burton, and running back Samaje Perine. The Broncos also used their first pick in the draft on WR Marvin Mims, who has 4.38 speed.The conditions are present for a bounce back in a career-defining year for Wilson.
More Fantasy News
Will start over Fields
Wilson is expected to serve as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback in 2024, even after the Steelers acquired Justin Fields from the Bears on Saturday in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Left as only QB on roster
Wilson is temporarily left as the only quarterback on Pittsburgh's roster after the Steelers traded Kenny Pickett to the Eagles on Friday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Officially signs with Pittsburgh
The Steelers signed Wilson to a one-year contract Friday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Planning to sign with Pittsburgh
Wilson plans to sign a one-year contract with the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
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Going to Pittsburgh after Giants visit
Wilson is traveling to Pittsburgh on Friday to meet with the Steelers' front office and head coach Mike Tomlin, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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