The Pittsburgh Steelers used the 2024 offseason to revamp their quarterback position, which included signing a veteran in Russell Wilson. He gives the Steelers their most experienced and accomplished quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger, although he has struggled in recent years. Wilson is looking to revive his successful career, which took a hit when he was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos. Pittsburgh should be a good fit for the veteran, but only time will tell if he can get his career back on track.
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Former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson stands on the field prior to a professional football game.
There is some skepticism around Wilson and the Steelers currently. Many talking heads in the NFL media don’t think he can get back to his old self. However, the Steelers provide Wilson with a run-heavy offense, which wasn’t there for Wilson in Denver. In a recent article on 365scores, Wilson’s career was compared to Donovan McNabb’s by Scott Kacsmar, stating that he could be ruining his Hall of Fame resume.
“It could be a good fit, but if it’s a disaster, he’s going to get benched for Justin Fields and may never start in the NFL again, just like Donovan McNabb after he left the Eagles in 2010. That ruined McNabb’s Hall of Fame case, and the same could happen to Wilson, who once looked like a lock for Canton. Wilson should still be one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but something has been off with his game for several years now. Maybe the loss of speed and accumulation of sacks have taken their toll.”
McNabb once seemed to be a lock for Canton, but his career took a turn for the worst after the 2009 season when he left the Philadelphia Eagles. He finished his career with the then-Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings, but was never able to find the same success that he had in Philly.
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Russell Wilson pushes away a potential tackler during his time with the Seattle Seahawks.
McNabb was a six-time Pro Bowler, every time being with Philadelphia. He was traded to Washington ahead of the 2010 season, and impressed early on. He even signed an extension in the middle of the season, but was demoted to being the third-string quarterback shortly after. He was then traded to the Vikings after the season, but lost his starting job once again before being released.
Wilson has had more overall success in his career than McNabb, winning Super Bowl XLVIII in just his second season. Wilson also didn’t play badly in 2023, posting 26 touchdowns while throwing just 8 interceptions. He was released after refusing to adjust the injury clause in his contract, and it was clear he was not in Head Coach Sean Payton’s future plans.
Pittsburgh will be paying Wilson the veteran minimum in 2024, since he is still receiving nearly $40 million from the Broncos. Wilson was benched in Denver, but unlike McNabb, it was not due to poor performance. Wilson has a chance to keep his career going, while McNabb was never able to find his footing after leaving Andy Reid. McNabb may have lost his chance to join the Hall of Fame, but Wilson is still a prime candidate.
Steelers’ Russell Wilson talking with Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith.
Steelers’ Russell Wilson Is Being Set Up To Bounce Back Strong In Pittsburgh
The Steelers have done a lot to make Wilson’s job easier in his first season with Pittsburgh. There are still some questions at wide receiver, but nearly every other position has been improved. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith is getting back to his roots with a run-heavy offense, and Pittsburgh invested two top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft on the offensive line.
Smith’s offense is extremely quarterback-friendly, which was seen during his time with the Tennessee Titans. Ryan Tannehill was able to throw for over 6,500 yards, 55 touchdowns, and just 13 interceptions in 26 starts with Smith as his play-caller. Wilson may not replicate that, but he is in the best system he has seen since his glory days in Seattle.