Russell Wilson, a veteran quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, became the subject of intense controversy when he decided to sign with the team early in NFL free agency.
The Steelers are hoping that a deal from a cheap contract would pay off with a breakout season for the 35-year-old Wilson, who was released by the Denver Broncos after two turbulent and utterly unsuccessful seasons in the Mile High City.
After all, Wilson was released by the Broncos before his contract extension even started, which allowed the Pittsburgh Steelers to sign him to a $1.2 million contract.
Wilson to the Steelers is one of the steals of free agency, even after a forgettable and brief experience in Sean Payton’s scheme following the ruin of Nathaniel Hackett’s season as head coach, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller.
It’s a steal to get Wilson for $1.2 million, according to Miller. “Take into account that the Steelers won 10 games and qualified for the playoffs with the NFL’s sixth-lowest passing yardage (3,163) and second-fewest passing touchdowns (tied at 13) last season, even though he’s not the quarterback he was in his peak in Seattle. You have to be optimistic about Pittsburgh’s chances if Wilson can surpass the Steelers’ 2023 touchdown-to-interception ratio of 13-9.
Wilson, a player who appeared to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer two seasons ago, has an opportunity to make amends. Additionally, it’s an opportunity for Pittsburgh to resume playing quarterback well. The Steelers and Wilson both benefit from this.
The ultimate result of this signing will be Wilson’s level of success while wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.
The arsenal of weapons from the Pittsburgh Steelers will be crucial if Wilson is to reclaim any of his former greatness.
The Steelers are taking a low-risk risk here, but the main bet is that Wilson gets great performance out of George Pickens, the team’s top wide receiver, and that Pickens’ mobility opens up opportunities for Najee Harris and the run game.
Although Wilson passed for 3,075 yards and 26 touchdowns against just eight interceptions while he was in Denver, he was never quite able to fit into Payton’s system and had little effect on victories or losses.
Much of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 success may be attributed to Wilson’s improved luck and significantly greater effectiveness under Arthur Smith than he had under the Broncos. That might prove to be too much to ask at this point in Wilson’s career in a division with elite defenses all around in Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
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