Russell Wilson Is Steelers’ Ideal Replacement for Kenny Pickett Amid NFL Rumors

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Russell Wilson’s time in Denver did not go according to plan, for the Broncos or the Super Bowl-winning quarterback, leading to his release from the team and status as one of the intriguing options for any team looking for a signal-caller in free agency.

The Pittsburgh Steelers badly need a starting quarterback and it appears as though the team has found one in Wilson, as Adam Schefter reported late Sunday.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Pittsburgh will only pay Wilson $1.2 million in 2024, with the Broncos on the hook for the rest of his $39 million salary.

Wilson is an ideal addition to a Steelers roster that is stronger than most other quarterback-needy squads.

Pittsburgh somehow mustered a 10-7 record last season, despite sub-par quarterback play from Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky.

Pickett played in 12 games in 2023, accumulating 2,070 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions. Trubisky was worse, compiling 632 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions in five games.

Coordinator Matt Canada was fired from the team in November amid fans’ vocal frustration over the state of the nonexistent offense but, outside of a brief glimmer during a 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in which Pickett flashed some of the promise that led to the team drafting him, things did not improve.

Wilson may not have been at his peak in his second year in Denver, but he did throw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions. He threw a touchdown in every game he played in, with eight multiple-score games. w

In a five-game stretch in the middle of the season, against Green Bay, Kansas City, Buffalo, Minnesota, and Cleveland, he did not throw an interception. The Broncos were 5-0 during that period. Four of those wins came against eventual playoff teams.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, head coach Sean Payton wasn’t a fan of Wilson, which likely had as much to do with the former Pro Bowler’s ousting from the team as anything he did or did not accomplish on the field.

Joining the Steelers will return Wilson to a familiar situation.

With the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson won his lone Super Bowl ring as part of a team that played great defense, ran the ball, and did not turn it over. He made big throws when they mattered most and could move the ball on the ground when the opportunity presented itself.

Pittsburgh is similarly structured. TJ Watt leads a defense that can get after the quarterback and force turnovers. Najee Harris is a workhorse back and George Pickens is a budding star at wide receiver.

Diontae Johnson is a speedster who can create mismatches on the outside, but years of inconsistent offense have led the frustrated wideout to seek a trade and the Steelers are listening to offers, per Dianna Russini.

With or without Johnson, the Steelers would have the pieces around Wilson to improve upon their 10-7 record and make a run in the AFC. Especially if the veteran quarterback rolls into Pittsburgh playing at the level he did while guiding the Broncos to a win over the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs.

Considering Lamar Jackson of Baltimore and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are in the same division, the Steelers badly need a quarterback who can duel with them and lead the team to the wins necessary to get them over the hump and back to the postseason.

Wilson fits the team, suits their needs, and has made a career of playing some of his best ball against the odds. The Steelers owe it to themselves and their fans to bring him in and attempt to get back to the winning ways that have defined the rich history of the celebrated organization.