Pittsburg, PA
Russell Wilson shares what he told Kenny Pickett shortly after deciding to join the Steelers
Fittingly, Russell Wilson celebrated becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler by echoing the team’s battle cry. Wilson famously said “Let’s Ride” on numerous occasions during his time with the Denver Broncos, and Pittsburgh’s new quarterback is already embracing his new team’s unofficial mantra.
“What’s up Steeler Nation,” Wilson said shortly after signing his new contract. “Fired up to wear the black and gold. Here we go.”
That’s not the only message Wilson shared on Friday. During his introductory press conference, Wilson shared that he has communicated with Kenny Pickett, whom he will compete with to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2024.
“I got to talk to him a little bit and I just told him, ‘Hey let’s go out there, let’s be the best version of ourselves to try to make this team better,’” Wilson said of his conversation with Pickett, via WXPI.
Prior to signing Wilson, the Steelers said that they would bring in competition for Pickett, whose career so far has had its share of ups and downs. The 2022 first-round pick enjoyed a largely successful rookie season, but his sophomore campaign was marred by inconsistent play and an injury that ultimately ended his season early.
Wilson showed his veteran savvy regarding answering media questions when he was asked if his role has already been defined and what he expects.
“I’m expecting us to win,” Wilson said. “I’m expecting us to do everything we can to enjoy this process and get better every single day.”
Wilson has been one of several big moves made by the Steelers during the first week of free agency. Pittsburgh also traded Diontae Johnson to the Panthers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and an upgraded draft pick. The Steelers made another splash when they signed former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen to a three-year deal.
While the Wilson era in Pittsburgh is just starting, his tenure with the Broncos came to an end earlier this week. The Broncos released him on Wednesday night (with a post-June 1 designation, according to ESPN). Denver will now absorb the massive cap hit that comes with cutting loose the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
By virtue of releasing Wilson, the Broncos take on a $53 million dead cap hit this season and a $32 million hit in 2025. The Broncos are paying Wilson $37.79 million to play for the Steelers in 2024.
Wilson will play for the veteran minimum salary of $1.21 million. He now restarts his career with a franchise that hasn’t had a losing season since 2003.
Wilson’s time in Denver was one of the oddest periods in franchise history. His initial signing with the Broncos was major news at the time, and it was widely celebrated by Broncos fans. The marriage quickly went south, however, as Wilson and the Broncos endured a rocky 2022 season. Russell was particularly bad; he completed barely over 60% of his passes with just 16 touchdowns in 15 games.
Wilson was much better in 2023, his first and ultimately last season with head coach Sean Payton, who was hired last offseason. But despite his improved play, Wilson was benched for the Broncos’ final two games, an indication that his time with the Broncs was coming to an end.
Denver’s offseason has been interesting to say the least. Along with parting with Wilson, the Broncos released Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons and traded receiver and former first-round Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns for fifth- and sixth-round picks.
Will the Broncos’ roster rebuild work? While it’s too early to tell, one thing we know is that Payton will bear the brunt of the responsibility for whatever transpires over the next few years. Wilson’s remaining cap hit only adds to Payton’s uphill climb in Denver.
While the Broncos are moving on, Wilson is looking forward to his new chapter in Pittsburgh. Russell said he chose to sign with the Steelers because of the team’s championship pedigree.
“We’ve got some amazing players,” Wilson said while alluding to new teammates Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and George Pickens among others. “It’s a great place to be. Grateful for the opportunity to be able to get after it and do what we came there to do, and that’s to win football games.”
Pittsburg softball improved to 16-4 on the season by sweeping host Kansas City Piper 17-1 in five innings and 15-3 in six innings Saturday afternoon.
Breck Slaughter earned the win in both games. She allowed one run on two hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks over five innings during the opener. Then, she allowed one run on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks over three innings.
AnnaLynn Hudson pitched the last three innings of the day for the Purple Dragons.
Offensively, Pittsburg scored 17 runs on 20 hits during the opener and all nine Dragons reached the hit column. Kenleigh Warford led with four hits, Breck Slaughter and Micah Gomez each had three and Brecken Campbell, Brette Pasteur, Laney Trisler and Emily Shriver each had two. Slaughter, Trisler and Gomez each doubled twice and Pasteur and Shriver also recorded two-baggers. Brilee Mantooth homered. Gomez led the Dragons with four RBI, Campbell had three and Trisler, Mantooth and Shriver drove in two each.
The Dragons closed out their sweep with 15 runs on just 11 hits. Pasteur had a monster performance at the plate with four runs scored, three hits in three at-bats, two home runs and five RBI; she also worked a pair of walks and proved to be an utter pain for Piper pitchers Reagan Asbury and Harper Cordill.
Campbell also homered and finished with three hits for the Dragons. Slaughter and Shriver both finished with two hits and both seniors doubled.
Pittsburg won four games during the week and outscored Labette County, Independence and Piper by a combined 59-11. The Dragons return to Southeast Kansas League play on the road Monday against Independence; the Dragons beat the Bulldogs 14-1 in five innings last Thursday in Pittsburg.
The Dragons are looking to wrap up at least a share of the SEK League title.
Pittsburg 612 44 — 17 20 0
KC Piper 000 01 — 1 2 5
Breck Slaughter and Peyton Morey; Stella Utter and Ginny Garcia. W: Slaughter. L: Utter. 2B—PHS: Slaughter 2, Brette Pasteur, Emily Shriver, Laney Trisler 2, Micah Gomez 2; KCP: Faith Flournoy. HR—PHS: Brilee Mantooth.
——
Pittsburg 225 105 — 15 7 2
KC Piper 100 101 — 3 6 6
Breck Slaughter, AnnaLynn Hudson (4) and Peyton Morey; Reagan Asbury, Harper Cordill (5) and Faith Flournoy. W: Slaughter. L: Asbury. 2B—PHS: Slaughter. HR—PHs: Brecken Campbell, Brette Pasteur 2; KCP: Ginny Garcia.
This sports reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/fund/support-local-journalism-project-fund/
Pittsburg, PA
Steelers insider just poured gasoline on the Aaron Rodgers fire following latest report of what he was doing in Pittsburgh
Aaron Rodgers was supposed to be in Pittsburgh over the weekend, with the thought that a deal would get done. One Steelers insider backs the report, but adds details that only compound a messy situation.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
At this point, the events of the past two seasons between Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers could probably be a book or movie. Everything from walks on the beach, to him throwing with DK Metcalf before signing, to someone capturing him driving a rental car into Pittsburgh has made waves.
This offseason was supposed to be different, and a decision from Rodgers was supposed to come much earlier. However, the Steelers remain in a holding pattern, and one that many believed would end over the weekend, after it was reported that Rodgers would be in town to sign a contract. Well, that seems to be true, but like much of this saga over the past two years, there seems to be a holdup.
Aaron Rodgers 2025 stats
- 3.4 TD to INT ratio.
- 3,322 passing yards.
- 65.7% completion percentage.
Aaron Rodgers visited Pittsburgh, but not the Steelers over the weekend
“Aaron Rodgers has been in town for a couple days, but the Steelers have not met with him yet and instead have been talking with his agent. Rodgers has stayed away from the team’s South Side facility while the three-day rookie minicamp has been going on.” – Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The news from Dulac comes on the heels of the report from 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh that Rodgers would be visiting the Steelers over the weekend, with the intention to sign his deal.
That report was backed up nationally by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, but some in Steelers media (Mark Kaboly) said that if Rodgers was going to be in town, that was news to the team.
Omar Khan said as much during a radio hit after the reports surfaced, saying that he didn’t know where Rodgers was, but that talks remained fluid. Of course, general managers, including Omar Khan, have been known to bend the truth, which seems to lie somewhere in the middle here.
The bottom line with Aaron Rodgers
It’s obvious to me that the Steelers and Rodgers are held up over money. I know that it was said to not be the case, but you don’t intentionally avoid meeting with a team and have your agent talk to them, just days after they use a tender that determines your 2026 salary, if you’re just going to sign.
I would be surprised if Rodgers doesn’t sign at this point, but it doesn’t change the monetary situation that needs to be worked out here.
Kennywood honored two longtime employees Saturday who together have worked at the park for a combined 100 years.
Larry Russ and Bobby Trygar started working at Kennywood in 1976.
Russ began his Kennywood career as a games employee, working at the Big Apple dart game. In 1980, Russ applied to the security team and has held positions there ever since, including roles as a corporal, lieutenant, chief, and captain, according to a press release provided by the park.
Trygar began his time at Kennywood by working in the Parkside Café. Since he joined Kennywood, he has helped to maintain some of the park’s most iconic attractions, including the Racer, Log Jammer, and Merry Go Round.
“This is something you dream about. It’s so amazing,” Trygar said. “One of the best things when I worked out here was when I met my wife on the Racer. I was the mechanic. It’s just a great feeling to come here every day, see smiles on people’s faces, it’s tremendous. It gives you that extra boost and happiness.”
“I was planning on going into the mill, like everyone else was during my era,” Russ said. “Of course, the mill shut down. My father told me, ‘You don’t want to [work at the mill]. This place isn’t going to be here that much longer,’ and he was right, so I stuck it out here. I got a full-time position in 1980, and the rest is history.”
The park also dedicated two benches in their honor.
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