The Pittsburgh Steelers saw their offense hit new lows during the 2023 season, primarily due to below-average quarterback play and less than ideal play-calling. This offseason, they seized an opportunity to sign nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum.
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Steelers QB’s Justin Fields and Russell Wilson look on during practice.
Following Wilson’s signing, the Steelers traded away former first-round pick quarterback, Kenny Pickett. They also made a deal with the Chicago Bears to acquire another former first-round pick, quarterback Justin Fields. Both Wilson and Fields come to Pittsburgh after experiencing a few challenging seasons. Wilson, being the veteran and a Super Bowl champion, is expected to start, while Fields is anticipated to learn from Wilson and develop over time.
Wilson signed a massive deal with the Denver Broncos when he was traded to them, with many expecting him to bring Denver back into Super Bowl contention. However, after just two seasons, Wilson led the Broncos to only 11 wins, rapidly shifting from one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks to a meme. Now, at 35, he joins Pittsburgh eager to prove he is still among the league’s top quarterbacks.
Known for his deep throws and ability to evade defenders with his mobility, Wilson’s capabilities have been questioned as he has aged. Former Steelers player Craig Wolfley recently joined The Irish Steelers Podcast, sharing his observations from Organized Team Activities. Wolfley believes Wilson has brought tremendous energy and still possesses remarkable speed.
“Russ is such a great leader from the front,” Wolfley said. “He’s a lot of fun to watch because of his interactions with players. Players feed off his energy. Players feed off the fact that he’s 35 years old, and it’s like, ‘Boom, boom, boom, let’s go!’ And then one of the things I loved during OTAs, he skedaddled up the sidelines, right? He’s just going 50, 60 yards and young bucks were in hot pursuit.”
One of the criticisms of Wilson during his struggles in Denver was his somewhat corny behavior. Wilson is very meticulous about his routine, which has been a key factor in his past success. However, when he or his team began to struggle, people started to scrutinize his personality and habits as potential reasons for the decline.
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Steelers’ Russell Wilson speaks to members of the Pittsburgh media.
Wilson was often mocked for his way of operating, but in Pittsburgh, everyone has been enthusiastic about the attitude and effort he has brought to the team. Former Steelers player Wolfley, who observed Wilson during OTAs, believes Wilson’s mindset is a winning one and that he has already uplifted the team.
Wolfley also noted that Wilson still has the speed he has showcased throughout his career. The younger players on the Steelers tried to catch him during OTAs, but they couldn’t. Wolfley sees this as a positive sign, indicating that Wilson still retains his mobility despite being toward the end of his prime years.
“But here’s the key: they weren’t closing in on him. And I’m going, that’s a pretty old man running up the sidelines. You got young bucks in hot pursuit and trail, and they ain’t getting that man. So I love the fact that he’s still mobile.”
Wilson threw for 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions during the 2023 season. Despite this solid performance, the Broncos paid a substantial amount to move on from him, leading pundits to have mixed opinions on what Steelers fans can expect from Wilson in the 2024 season.
Steelers’ Russell Wilson Could Thrive Working With Arthur Smith
The Steelers boast a strong roster, and with the addition of a proven quarterback like Wilson, many believe he is a significant upgrade. Some, however, remain skeptical, calling it a stretch to see Wilson as a major improvement.
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Arthur Smith during his time as offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans.
Still, knowing that Wilson retains his speed and mobility is exciting for Steelers fans. In the new offense led by Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, Wilson could thrive as both a runner and a passer. While opinions vary, Wilson seems poised to be a key upgrade for Pittsburgh heading into the 2024 season.