The Pittsburgh Steelers, like every team in the NFL, have a plethora of rewarding and injuring contracts.
Pro Football Network recently released their lists of each team's best and worst deals entering the 2024 season, with quarterback Russell Wilson representing the top deal and veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward being the poorest.
"Wilson is collecting $37 million in guarantees from the Denver Broncos in 2024, so he’ll only cost the Steelers a minimum salary. That’s a genuine bargain in a league where backup quarterbacks like Tyrod Taylor and Marcus Mariota earn $6 million annually," PFN's Dallas Robinson wrote. "Whether Wilson will move the needle for Pittsburgh remains to be seen."
Wilson is by no means his Seattle Seahawks self, but he's more than servicable for a minimum-contract quarterback. Of all the veteran's traits, keeping the ball out of harm's way is near the top of the list. He's the low-risk, low-reward option for Pittsburgh, whereas dual-threat Justin Fields holds the untapped potential.
As for the worst contract, Robinson wrote, "Heyward wants a new contract as he enters the last year of his deal, but the Steelers might be loath to give a 35-year-old more money, especially given that he will carry a $22 million+ cap figure this season."
Heyward's latest season was plagued with injury, preventing him from making a serious impact on the Steelers' defense. Heyward finished the year with just two sacks and three quarterback hits in 11 games.
