Biggest winners, losers of Russell Wilson signing

ESPN's Adam Schefter announced late Sunday night that nine-time Pro-Bowl QB and former Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a team-friendly, one-year deal.

Here are the biggest winners and losers following the latest quarterback domino to fall.

Winners

WR George Pickens: Wilson's best football is behind him at 35, but he still throws one of the best deep balls in the league. 

All of the Steelers playmakers are benefactors with this move, but none more than Pickens, who has been Pittsburgh's best deep threat over the past two seasons, averaging 16.9 yards per catch.

If the former second-round pick in 2022 builds a rapport with Wilson sooner rather than later, they could have one of the more electric connections in 2024.

DT Cameron Heyward: Heyward, like Wilson, has seen more days in the NFL than he's going to. The 34-year-old knows that, which is why he was one of the biggest advocates to bring Wilson to Pittsburgh, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

"There were a couple of strong advocates in Pittsburgh throughout the process. One of them was the veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward," Pelissero said. "Heyward was certainly a strong voice in the locker room wanting Wilson brought aboard."

Heyward and Wilson want to contend for a Super Bowl before hanging up their cleats for good. Teaming up certainly gives them the best chance to do that.

HC Mike Tomlin: Tomlin and the Steelers brass have been searching for their next franchise quarterback ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season.

The 17-year head coach quickly learned how difficult is it to find one. So, it's no surprise that he pushed hard to sign Wilson, who has thrown eight touchdowns and zero interceptions and boasts a 2-0 record against Pittsburgh in his career.

Tomlin has a league-record 17 consecutive non-losing seasons to begin his coaching career. Wilson gives him a great opportunity to extend that next season.

Losers

QB Kenny Pickett: Pickett, the Steelers first-round pick in 2022, seemed to have a strong backing by the team after general manager Omar Khan said he has "full faith" in him at the NFL Scouting Combine, but this signing says otherwise.

Pittsburgh has been transparent in telling Pickett, who has thrown just 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 25 games, that it was going to bring in competition for him this offseason. It is hard to imagine, however, that Wilson loses this training camp battle, barring any significant drop off or injury.

QB Justin Fields trade market: The Steelers were reportedly one of the few teams who expressed serious interest in Fields this offseason. However, the Bears asking price seems to have been too high, forcing Pittsburgh to pivot to Wilson.

Chicago staying patient could work out, but it could also end in a disaster after watching the Patriots deal former first-round QB Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick on Sunday.

With one less team hoping to add Fields, the trade market for the No. 11 overall pick in 2021 feels like it's diminishing by the day.

Broncos: Wilson is expected to sign with the Steelers for the veteran minimum of $1.21 million dollars. He is able to do so because Denver must pay him $39 million, regardless, minus the salary he gets from a new team.

So, of course, Wilson wants to force the Broncos to pay as much of his salary as possible in 2024, leaving them salary cap strapped and without a quarterback on their current roster.

One last fun note, Pittsburgh is set to head to Denver next season in what will be one of the much-anticipated revenge games of the year.