Why Russell Wilson decided to sign with Steelers in offseason

Even before the Denver Broncos officially parted ways with veteran quarterback Russell Wilson this past offseason, stories linked him with the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders. However, he ultimately signed a team-friendly contract to join the Pittsburgh Steelers and has since largely looked like his former great self with the AFC North club. 

During a lengthy "NFL on ESPN" interview released on Thursday, Wilson explained how a conversation with Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan helped the 35-year-old pick his current team. 

"When I got released...several teams started calling and everything else," Wilson said, as Sports Illustrated's Madison Williams shared. "And then all of a sudden, my first call was with Mike Tomlin and Omar. Coach Tomlin and I, we have the same vision of ball, and the love for the game and the passion behind it and the obsession with it."

It was reported in March that Tomlin and well-respected Steelers veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward were "big advocates" of landing Wilson in free agency. Heyward later revealed he warned Wilson that Pittsburgh "isn't the place for glitz and glamor" and instead "is the place where the gladiators come." 

During the chat with ESPN's Hannah Storm, Wilson mentioned how he also spoke with Steelers star pass-rusher T.J. Watt and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick about what life would be like calling the Steel City his pro football home. 

"Minkah, he doesn’t talk long, but he’s like, 'Hey, you like to compete?' And that’s all the things I love is practice and ball and getting after it," Wilson added. "I looked at [wife Ciara] and I was like, 'I know where we’re going.' This felt great. And it’s been awesome since."

Wilson spent the campaign's first six weeks recovering from a lingering calf injury as Justin Fields guided the Steelers to a 4-2 record. The one-time Super Bowl champion then won his first three starts with the organization and seemingly has cemented himself as Pittsburgh's QB1 until further notice. 

Wilson completed 50-of-85 pass attempts (58.8 percent) for 737 yards with six touchdowns and one interception to go along with a rushing score over those three contests.  

The 7-2 Steelers next host the rival Baltimore Ravens (7-3) this Sunday. As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Pittsburgh as a three-point underdog for that contest.