In a surprising twist, quarterback Russell Wilson's calculated move to secure his release from the Denver Broncos seems to be causing more harm than good. With the Broncos owing Wilson a staggering $38 million this year, the quarterback opted to take the minimum salary from the Pittsburgh Steelers, amounting to $1.21 million. While this decision forces the Broncos to still pay him the majority of the owed amount - $36.79 million, it may have inadvertently jeopardized his chances of securing a starting position with the Steelers.

The Steelers now possess a valuable asset in Wilson at a significantly reduced cost. With minimal financial investment from Pittsburgh, there is little internal pressure for the team to immediately thrust Wilson into the starting role. Should he prevail and win the job, it would be a fantastic outcome for both Wilson and the Steelers. On the other hand, if the seasoned quarterback fails to perform up to expectations, the Steelers have the luxury of turning to another capable option while retaining Wilson as a formidable backup - a Super Bowl-winning quarterback at that.

Ironically, Wilson now finds himself as the lowest-paid veteran quarterback on the Steelers' roster. His contract pales in comparison to the salaries of Justin Fields, who will earn $1.616 million this year, and Kyle Allen, who is set to receive $1.292 million. Furthermore, an unforeseen calf injury during a conditioning test has slowed Wilson's progress, leading the Steelers to take a cautious approach to his recovery. This setback has inadvertently provided additional opportunities for Fields and Allen to showcase their skills under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's system.

With Fields performing well enough to potentially secure the starting job, Wilson's options to prove himself as a starter in the foreseeable future are in jeopardy. His aspirations to solidify a starting position by 2025 now hinge on his ability to not only recover from his injury but also to perform exceptionally well once he returns to the field. Failure to do so could result in limited opportunities for Wilson, forcing him to choose between a backup role or potentially considering walking away from the game as early as next year.

The silver lining for Wilson comes in the form of his substantial earnings for the year. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his starting prospects, he is guaranteed to receive the agreed-upon $38 million, regardless of his role on the team. However, the focus now shifts to whether Wilson can seize the remaining opportunities and make a compelling case for his future as a starting quarterback. Otherwise, the repercussions of his strategic move to stick it to Denver may have unintended consequences, leaving him with difficult choices and a narrowing window of time to evaluate his next move in the NFL.