The Pittsburgh Steelers’ leading rusher and leading receiver in 2023 had Alabama football roots. They’re getting a potential upgrade at quarterback for 2024.

After the Steelers used three starting quarterbacks in the 2023 season, Pittsburgh is signing nine-time Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson for 2024, NFL Network and ESPN reported on Sunday night, with Wilson posting on the social-media platform X: “Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers.”

Wilson became a free agent last week when the Denver Broncos released him, even though he’s guaranteed $39 million for the 2024 season.

Kenny Pickett opened the 2023 season as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, but the 2022 first-round draft choice was sidelined by injury after the 12th game. Mitch Trubisky started the next two games before giving way to Mason Rudolph.

The Steelers won their final three regular-season games with Rudolph under center to earn a playoff spot. Pittsburgh’s season ended in a 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round on Jan. 15.

With 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns on 255 carries in 2023, former Alabama running back Najee Harris led the Steelers in rushing for the third consecutive season as he became the 18th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first three seasons.

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In his second NFL season, former Hoover High School star George Pickens had 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns in 2023 as he led the NFL with an average of 18.1 yards per catch.

Despite the contributions of Harris and Pickens, Pittsburgh ranked 28th in points and 25th in yards among the NFL’s 32 offenses in 2023.

Wilson completed 297-of-447 passes for 3,070 yards with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 15 games in 2023 before being benched by the Broncos in favor of former Auburn standout Jarrett Stidham. Pittsburgh’s passers combined for 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions during the 2023 regular season.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.