Upon joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, Russell Wilson has refrained from making outright statements about his assumption of the starting quarterback position.
This comes as no surprise, however, given the significant measures taken by the Steelers to secure the accomplished nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl winner, including the bold move to release his presumed competition.
Prior to the decision for the Steelers to trade Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia soon after Wilson’s team introduction, it was clear Pittsburgh intended to have Wilson start in the 2024 season opener.
Steelers’ longtime defensive leader, Cam Heyward, reached out to Wilson shortly after he was let go by the Denver Broncos, a move made before the league’s new year commenced.
A meeting that was initially scheduled to last 15-20 minutes with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin ended up extending to 90 minutes. This included an interruption from star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who engaged in playful banter with Wilson, who had just become a potential new colleague.
Adding to the warm welcome, All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt offered insight into his own work ethic and expressed his ambitions to Wilson.
The signing with the Steelers was sealed last Friday during a visit that included Wilson admiring the six Lombardi Trophies in the team’s headquarters and getting acquainted with a city known for its winning history, as Wilson mentioned after the deal.
The Steelers, who haven’t seen a playoff win in seven years, are looking to Russell Wilson, 35, to bring an end to that streak. They are confident he has plenty of football left. As Wilson, suited in black attire, repeatedly used the word “win” during his 20-minute talk, Coach Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan looked on in approval.
Wilson openly admitted to having a “chip on his shoulder” after a challenging time in Denver, where he had a subpar performance as a starter and faced conflicts with head coach Sean Payton last season. He emphasized the constant drive to prove oneself and mentioned the motivational edge both he and the team share.
Despite Omar Khan’s earlier expressed confidence in Pickett, the Steelers switched gears by sending the young quarterback to the Eagles—a surprising decision after just two weeks of showing faith in him. This finalized an overhaul of the Steelers’ quarterback lineup, with changes also including the release of Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph’s free agent departure to Tennessee.
Russell Wilson is now intent on proving he’s still capable as he prepares for his 13th year in the league. Although he was not at his peak in his initial Denver year due to injury, he bounced back in 2023 with commendable stats. Nevertheless, it wasn’t enough to secure his position under Payton’s leadership.
Wilson carefully avoided delving into his rocky tenure with the Broncos, which had started with high expectations and a lucrative contract after a substantial trade in March 2022. Denver’s hopes of Wilson bridging the gap to compete with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were dashed. Now, Wilson looks forward to a new chapter in Pittsburgh, which comes with a financially low risk for the Steelers and high potential rewards, as they will only be paying him $1.2 million in 2024 with the Broncos covering the remaining $39 million they owe him.
While Wilson is not one to dwell on statistics, he acknowledged the significance of touchdowns and his familiarity with scoring. With dynamic players like Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren on the roster, the Steelers hope to improve their offensive performance. However, their wide receiver situation is uncertain, having traded Diontae Johnson and released Allen Robinson II, though they anticipate changes before training camp begins.
Wilson and new teammate Patrick Queen, who joined the Steelers on a three-year deal, are both optimistic about Pittsburgh’s prospects. “If Russ plays like Russ,” Queen noted, “this team is scary.” The Steelers are taking an uncharacteristically big gamble on this rejuvenated lineup.
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FAQs about Russell Wilson’s Move to the Pittsburgh Steelers
What motivated the Steelers to sign Russell Wilson?
The Steelers believe that Russell Wilson has a significant amount of football left in him and that his leadership and experience can help end their seven-year playoff victory drought.
What were Wilson’s statistics in 2023?
Wilson reported throwing for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns in the 2023 season.
How much will Russell Wilson be paid by the Steelers?
Russell Wilson will be paid $1.2 million by the Steelers in 2024, while the Denver Broncos will pay the remaining $39 million he is owed.
Who did Wilson replace on the Steelers’ roster?
Wilson’s signing came after the Steelers made a series of quarterback roster changes, including trading away Kenny Pickett and releasing Mitch Trubisky.
Conclusion
Russell Wilson’s transition to the Pittsburgh Steelers is replete with optimism and high expectations. While the move reflects a significant shift in the Steelers’ strategy – marked by their confidence in Wilson’s abilities to revitalize their quarterback position – it is tempered with cautious optimism considering Wilson’s recent history. As training camp nears, all eyes will be on Wilson to see if he can indeed lead the Steelers as effectively as he anticipates, and perhaps, lead them back to playoff glory.